RB team principal Laurent Mekies has backed Yuki Tsunoda for a promotion to the front-running Red Bull squad.
Tsunoda is currently contesting his fourth F1 season and has been pushing for a drive at the Milton Keynes-based outfit for some time, having been glossed over in the past despite his experience.
There's heavy scrutiny over the identity of Max Verstappen's team-mate next year amid the struggles of Sergio Perez behind the wheel of the RB20.
Tsunoda and RB team-mate Lawson have been linked to the position - and Mekies has asserted he believes the Japanese driver is ready for the step up.
"I think a guy at that level that has been scoring the amount of points he's scored this year... of course I think he's ready to get a faster car," Mekies told media including RacingNews365.
"We are hoping to provide him with this faster car, but of course, I think he's ready for a faster car and a faster team or a bigger team.
"So the short answer is yes [he is ready for promotion].
"And as for the test you will do with them, you know, I think it's been very important for our drivers to get a chance into the bigger team, into our brother team.
“It's one of our key DNA aspects for this team to be able to grow our drivers and to make them attractive enough so that Red Bull Racing want to have them.
"So we are very happy that Yuki will have this test and I'm confident he will perform well."
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Tsunoda's position on the F1 grid next year was confirmed several months ago, with the 24-year-old due to partake in a fifth season at RB.
Mekies has commended the step forward from Tsunoda, highlighting he has exceeded the expectations placed on his shoulders.
"If you look at the driver's performance, it very much followed the team's performance through the year,” he said.
“You know, we had a slow start and a fantastic string of races and a more difficult time when we hit the some issues with our development.
"Then, finally, we managed to put the car back in the right window for this final part of the season, and the drivers' results have been following that.
"But when I see Yuki again performing at that level like he did in the last few races, it was all together an outstanding season from his side.
“I think he has made a step this season that nobody could forecast and it's something he should be proud of."
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