Yuki Tsunoda has asserted he was not angered by Red Bull's decision to deny him a spot at the front-running squad this year. Red Bull confirmed at the end of last season that it had parted ways with Sergio Perez after the Mexican driver endured a dismal campaign. Tsunoda and Liam Lawson were immediately promoted as the candidates to replace Perez, with the latter receiving the call-up. Tsunoda will embark on a fifth season with the Red Bull sister team this year and declared he has no overhanging emotions from being overlooked. “Last year’s thing, I already parked, put it out my head to be honest,” Tsunoda told media including RacingNews365 . “The moment they officially announced it, I didn’t feel that super angry or disappointed. “Maybe I was prepared inside of my head at some point, but in the end, even when I go to Racing Bulls, VCARB or Red Bull, the things I have to do are the same. “So, in both ways, you can do pretty cool projects. “Maybe if I go to Red Bull, maybe be a team-mate [to] Max, you can prove yourself in a different stage.” Despite the latest setback in his bid to acquire a front-running seat, Tsunoda asserted the blow has not dented his confidence. “Even with Racing Bulls, there are different things that I’ve never probably experienced, more like leadership, I guess, things that I have to at some point to develop myself more,” he said. “I just kind of stick to what I’m doing. I understand why they chose Liam, it is what it is. “It’s the things I can control and respect that, and yeah, definitely still have hope this season. “I just keep focused on what I have to do, prove myself more than I deserve to be in F1.”
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