Red Bull explain doubts over Tsunoda F1 promotion

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has detailed why the team has long held a reluctance to promote Yuki Tsunoda to the team.

Tsunoda will make his debut for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix next week, stepping up in place of Liam Lawson.

Red Bull opted to make the swap after the Lawson endured a highly challenging opening two races at the squad, languishing at the back of the grid in Australia and China.

Tsunoda's Red Bull opportunity has come in his fifth season, making him the most experienced junior to receive a call-up to the team.

Marko explained the team is confident Tsunoda has now made the necessary steps to warrant a promotion having struggled with consistency in the past.

“Of course, there are many know-it-alls who will now object: Why wasn't Tsunoda given preference from the start?” Marko wrote in his column for Speedweek.

“That's because Yuki's career often had ups and downs; he didn't exactly have an image of reliability and consistency. 

“But now he's made a leap forward in his development, including in terms of physical preparation; Tsunoda is now a real muscleman.

“Yuki delivered impressive performances over the first two race weekends. So, what distinguished Lawson in the second half of the 2024 season, we're now seeing in Yuki.”

Tsunoda's Red Bull debut will come at his home race in Japan - however Marko has denied it was a factor in the final decision to promote him.

“It's a coincidence that this change of position and promotion for Honda protégé Tsunoda came just before his home race in Japan and on Honda's home track,” he said.

“It certainly helps that Yuki knows this racetrack well, but it also applies to Lawson. That wasn't the deciding factor.”