Tsunoda: Lawson's Benchmark in Crucial F1 Debut

Christian Horner believes Yuki Tsunoda will serve as a key benchmark for Liam Lawson as he steps into Formula 1, drawing comparisons to how Daniel Ricciardo measured up against the Japanese driver.

After a brief stint last year, Liam Lawson is set to make his official debut in competition as a full-time driver. The RB F1 driver will be sporting the number 30, the one he used most often in karting during his youth and also chose in DTM when racing under the AlphaTauri banner.

Last year, he used the number 40 for his substitute role, as it’s the designated number for the third driver of the RB F1 team when driving on Fridays or as a replacement. This time, he’s chosen his own number.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is eager to see the New Zealander in action and expects him to quickly match Yuki Tsunoda’s level, without it being a slight against the Japanese driver. Tsunoda will be a real benchmark for Lawson, just as he was for Daniel Ricciardo.

“Last year, Liam started and beat Yuki in Singapore and Japan, he was fast right from the start and is a tough competitor. We know that. He adapts quickly,” Horner stated. “The tests he has done for Red Bull this year have been very encouraging.”

“We know Yuki is a very fast driver. He can undoubtedly pull off a lap. He’s no longer a rookie. This is his fourth year in Grand Prix racing, and he has a lot of experience under his belt.”

“Using him as a reference point, we saw with Daniel where he stood compared to Yuki. It will be very interesting to see how Liam performs over the last six races.”

And while Red Bull seems to have struggled in recent years to select young drivers for its two teams, Horner acknowledges that some Formula 2 drivers may be underestimated.

“I find it difficult to gauge the form in Formula 2 at the moment because when you look at the job Oliver Bearman did when he jumped into the Ferrari at one of the toughest circuits on the calendar in Saudi Arabia, he looked like a veteran. And then, more recently, against a tough teammate like Nico Hulkenberg.”

“Franco Colapinto was a complete surprise because he flew under the radar in F2, no one was talking about him, and then he jumped into the Williams, and in the few races he did, he was exceptional, really very impressive.”

“So it’s hard to say if this means Isack Hadjar, who was beating all of them, has taken a new step forward. Until we give them their chance, we won’t know. The young guys are coming up, they’re hungry, and they’re driving very fast.”

“This is what we’re seeing with all these young drivers coming through right now. They’re well-prepared, they race well, and they understand how to manage the tires. Bearman, Colapinto, and others have done an excellent job.”

Lawson won’t be starting under ideal conditions with a penalty for an engine change, but Horner believes this will take some pressure off for the New Zealander’s first weekend.

“There will be a penalty for the engine anyway, which gives him a smoother entry, but he will, of course, be evaluated against his teammate. He was very quick against him last year. I think Yuki has progressed again this year, so it will be fascinating to see how quickly he adapts and how fast he gets up to speed.”