Helmut Marko reveals 'red flag' reason behind late Yuki Tsunoda promotion

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has recalled an incident that left Yuki Tsunoda labelled a “red flag” by former chief designer Adrian Newey.

Tsunoda is preparing for his Red Bull debut this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix as he received the call-up to replace a struggling Liam Lawson.

Tsunoda's promotion has come in his fifth F1 season, making him the most experienced Red Bull junior to be called up to the team.

Marko has explained Red Bull held concerns over Tsunoda's inconsistent performances throughout his F1 career.

“For a long time, Yuki had the image of not performing consistently and making silly mistakes here and there,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung. 

“That was the case last year in Mexico, for example, where the decisive phase for us began. 

“With Lawson, it was exactly the opposite at first: he came and delivered immediately, no matter how much pressure there was. In hindsight, however, it wasn't the right decision.”

However, Marko has signalled a particular incident that annoyed former Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey.

At the 2022 British Grand Prix, Tsunoda collided with then team-mate Pierre Gasly with the debris from the incident causing damage to Verstappen's Red Bull.

It placed Tsunoda in Newey's bad books - but the path to a promotion became easier after the 66-year-old departed to join Aston Martin.

”In general, however, a lot can be attributed to a single incident,” Marko reflected. 

“Tsunoda once drove into Pierre Gasly's car and parts of the car on the track subsequently damaged the underbody of Verstappen's car, which caused him to lose the race. 

“Adrian Newey was furious at the time. For him, Yuki was a red flag from that point on. But now Newey is gone [to Aston Martin] and Yuki has worked hard on himself.”