Yuki Tsunoda set a strong benchmark to go 6th fastest in FP1 for his Red Bull debut. Going just a tenth behind Verstappen on the same run plan is a promising start with his new team.
Of course, Tsunoda’s calibre is not something new to the F1 paddock.
For several years now, he has dispatched of various teammates put alongside him and been VCARB’s reference.
Speaking of the Faenza team, their former team principal has a very blunt assessment of the Tsunoda and Lawson swap.
Tsunoda support within the Red Bull camp
When Tsunoda’s F1 trajectory is discussed, Honda’s presence at Red Bull is often mentioned as a key factor.
The common narrative is that the Japanese manufacturer was integral in promoting Tsunoda into Formula 1.
To some degree, they certainly played a big part in supporting him through junior categories.
However, their role as Tsunoda’s sponsor was no different to what most eventual F1 drivers also benefit from.
It was his fantastic results in Formula 2 (almost winning the title as a rookie) that put him into the pinnacle of motorsport.
Several senior figures at Red Bull, including Helmut Marko, have been clear about their belief in his potential.
Various factors, including Christian Horner’s scepticism, have delayed his promotion to the main team.
Tost: Tsunoda is “Much faster” than Lawson
One of the biggest supporters of Tsunoda throughout the years was Franz Tost – former team principal at AlphaTauri.
According to the 69-year-old, the decision to swap Tsunoda and Lawson should have been straight-forward:
“I would have done with Yuki Tsunoda from the start,” he told Austrian outlet ORF.
“I said that already, I made it clear last Autumn. Why?
“Yuki is much faster than Lawson.
“You could give Lawson 100 years, and he still wouldn’t be as fast as Yuki – and Yuki is more experienced.
“So what’s the issue? It’s a very simple decision.”
These comments from the former F1 team principal provide some insights into the dynamics within Red Bull.
Team principals at VCARB (a role currently occupied by Laurent Mekies) are in a unique position within the paddock.
Unlike other team bosses, they don’t have the final say in their driver line-up.
Considering the Faenza-based operation serves as a second team to Red Bull, this is understandable.
However, it does create some discrepancies about which drivers should be promoted.
In a far more diplomatic manner, Laurent Mekies suggested in late 2024 that Tsunoda deserved the Red Bull seat.
Of course, the Frenchman’s position makes it difficult for him to speak on such matters.
This is no longer a problem for Franz Tost, who has spoken very candidly on this issue:
“It’s definitely a confirmation that the right call was made. Yuki has incredible natural speed – I’ve been saying that for years.
“Now he just needs to put it together properly.
“He’s still too emotional in the car sometimes, and maybe that’s one of the reasons they didn’t pick him over Lawson in the first place.
“But in terms of raw pace, Yuki absolutely belongs with the best F1 drivers.
“And if he can translate that into consistency, perform in the races, and keep his emotions in check, then it’s going to be a very good season for Red Bull and Yuki Tsunoda.”
