Tsunoda Feels He Doesn't Get Credit He Deserves After Red Bull Snub

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 at 11:29

Yuki Tsunoda suggested he doesn't get as much credit as other F1 drivers do after being snubbed for a seat at Red Bull.

Following the end of the 2024 season, Sergio Perez announced that he would be taking a break from racing, which opened a promotion opportunity for one of the RB (Racing Bulls) drivers.

Ultimately, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko decided to promote Liam Lawson, the younger and less experienced driver, rather than Yuki Tsunoda, who has been with the team for four seasons.

The Red Bull Racing team principal said it was close, but the team ultimately felt that Lawson was more emotionally stable and had greater potential for the future.

Tsunoda's manager, on the other hand, suggested that the decision over who would be promoted to Red Bull was made months before the official announcement.

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The Japanese driver apparently had no chance. Speaking to Autosport, Yuki Tsunoda suggested it was partially his fault as he created a bad image by not delivering the best performances during his first seasons.

"I think that part of it is kind of my fault because I wasn't really able to perform straight away in the first year. It creates a bit of an image of who I am."

On the contrary, the 24-year-old outperformed both Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson in 2024, yet that wasn't enough for a promotion.

"[In 2024], even though I was performing well, I feel like I didn't really get credit as much as probably other drivers get, but it is what it is. I just naturally, just keep what I'm doing and performing well and just prove them wrong."

"I just try to give them fewer excuses or reasons why I am not in the seat. So, I just focus on what I can control, those things other than that, just accept the situation. I'm sure I can do a better job than what they are thinking."