Yuki Tsunoda was overlooked by Red Bull (Image: Getty)
has a plan to ‘prove wrong’ after the Milton Keynes squad opted to replace with . The Japanese racer enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign, but was still overlooked in favour of his inexperienced team-mate.
On paper, when Perez’s departure was confirmed a few weeks after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, his replacement was obvious. Since ’s departure from AlphaTauri, Tsunoda has been nearly untouchable, bringing an end to the F1 careers of Nyck de Vries and .
Tsunoda put up a good fight against Lawson, too. He out-qualified the New Zealander six to nil in 2024, and while the honours were shared more evenly on Sundays, it was clear to onlookers that the Honda-backed star was ready for a shot at a top team.
, however, felt differently. As many had expected, Lawson was announced as Perez’s successor, with Tsunoda confined to a fifth season with the sister team, now rebranded as Racing Bulls.
“I think that part of it is kind of my fault because I wasn’t really able to perform straight away in the first year,” he told . “It creates a bit of an image of who I am. [In 2024], even though I was performing well, I feel like I didn’t really get credit as much as probably other drivers get, but it is what it is.
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Liam Lawson was promoted to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull (Image: Getty)
“I just naturally, just keep what I’m doing and performing well and just prove them wrong. I just try to give them fewer excuses or reasons why I am not in the seat. So, I just focus on what I can control, those things other than that, just accept the situation. I’m sure I can do a better job than what they are thinking.”
In many regards, 2025 is a make-or-break year for Tsunoda, but as his performances in 2023 and 2024 proved, even if he does step up another notch, there is no guarantee that a seat will follow.
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This leaves the 24-year-old in a difficult position with regards to his long-term F1 future. Even team principal acknowledged this. “We’re acutely aware that if we’re not able to provide an opportunity for Yuki in all honesty this year, does it make sense [to keep him]?,” he said.
“You can’t have a driver in the support team for five years. You can’t always be the bridesmaid. You’ve either got to let them go at that point or look at something different.”