Yuki Tsunoda is set on securing a Red Bull seat, vowing to “force” the team’s decision with strong race results.
Tsunoda believes the last two races of the 2024 season are “more important” for his chances of securing a seat at Red Bull than his upcoming test.
Tsunoda, who has expressed frustration about his situation multiple times, admitted he has no idea if Red Bull sees him as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez, should the latter be dropped.
“I don’t know. Please, could you interview them and find out? Even if they say in the interview, ‘Oh, Yuki is in the mix,’ I don’t know if that’s true or not, to be honest.”
“I hope so, but if not, I’m not sure what else I can do, to be honest. But I’ll keep pushing on the things I can control, because for the Red Bull seat, it’s not up to me.”
“I’m sure if I’m in the seat, I can definitely fight for a constructors’ championship in a better way, which is what they want. But other factors, political ones, decide all of that.”
Tsunoda also wondered whether the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022 has influenced their reluctance to give him a chance with the main team.
“Historically, looking back, it’s quite natural for a driver from our team, one who consistently outperforms the other driver over the years, to be promoted. I guess it’s a natural thing.”
“I don’t know, maybe something has changed. The dynamic has probably shifted after Red Bull itself changed following Mr. Mateschitz’s passing. I’m not sure.”
“Yet, one of the drivers has won the drivers’ championship, and the team has been successful for quite some time. So what they’re doing, I suppose, isn’t a bad thing. But it doesn’t really make sense to me. I don’t really see why they’re not more inclined to talk about my promotion. But let’s see.”
When pressed on whether it was frustrating that 22 races hadn’t been enough to secure a seat at Red Bull, Tsunoda responded, “For me, I’ve gotten used to it.”
“It’s just been like this throughout the year. I thought, especially since Daniel Ricciardo arrived, that one of us would be in the Red Bull seat.”
“Maybe they’re facing difficult things, things we probably don’t know or things we don’t understand behind the scenes.”
“I’ll just force them to think, ‘Maybe we really need Yuki in that seat’ with my results or performances. I just have to make it happen with my performances.”
Tsunoda will get his first experience of driving a modern Red Bull when he tests the RB20 of the reigning champion at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi next month.
However, the Japanese driver believes that helping Red Bull in its battle for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship will have a greater impact on his hopes of securing a seat with the team.
“Right now, what I see as a test is just a test. I mean, over the years so far, the way they see me, the way Red Bull sees me, I feel like the test is just a test.”
“It’s definitely more important to perform well in the next two races than for the test. I hope the test might add a bit more, I suppose, a better impression or a clearer picture of who I am as a driver.”
“But I think the next two races are a bit more important for being in the final consideration.”
Tsunoda revealed that he felt the 2024 Red Bull car would suit his driving style, based on the simulator work he’s done.
“I’ve done some simulator work with them. It’s a pretty fast car. So far, I’ve only driven our car.”
“But at least in the simulator, it’s different and nice to drive. You know, the amount of speed you can carry through the corners, and it’s quite close, very close to our car, but it’s just great.”
“When I drove it, it felt pretty good. I don’t think, at least for now, that the car won’t suit me based on what I’ve experienced in the simulator. I actually think it suits me quite well, so yeah, that’s pretty encouraging.”
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Tsunoda to “force” Red Bull’s hand with results Tsunoda to “force” Red Bull’s hand with results
