Tsunoda throws his hat into Red Bull conundrum

Yuki Tsunoda is hopeful Red Bull will "consider" him for Sergio Perez's seat next season in what is the most desired available spot on the 2025 grid.

Ahead of the 2024 season, all eyes were on Daniel Ricciardo, who entered the current campaign as the clear favourite to complete a fairy-tale Red Bull reunion.

The situation has dramatically changed following the opening three rounds as the Australian has made a disappointing start to the season, evidenced by his qualifying performance so far against the Japanese.

For Tsunoda, it is the complete opposite as he has suddenly emerged as RB's leader. The Japanese driver scored the Faenza-based outfit's first points of the season in Australia courtesy of finishing seventh.

Following his competitive start to the campaign, Tsunoda wants to be viewed as an option by Red Bull.

"I mean, hopefully they will consider it," Tsunoda told select media including RacingNews365. "At the same time, I'll do as much as I can to show the performance to the other teams.

"I just want to increase my value as a driver so that I can be pretty strong. Obviously, I don't know what's going on with Red Bull, but hopefully they will [consider] me for it as well."

Continuing form at home

Of course, the next race on the calendar is Tsunoda's home race, the Japanese Grand Prix which has not been a strong venue for the 22-year-old in recent years as he has never scored a point at Suzuka.

The target is to change this unwanted statistic and to continue building the momentum he now has behind him following the Australian Grand Prix.

"At least [we're] able to give a bit of hope to the Japanese fans," said Tsunoda. "I haven't achieved yet scoring points at my home grand prix.

"So that's what I need to do. I think so far the momentum is good and the car shape is good. Just have to reset ourselves and push again."