Former Red Bull talent Jaime Alguersuari believes Yuki Tsunoda could surprise everyone at Red Bull Racing ahead of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, potentially getting closer to Max Verstappen than many expect.
Tsunoda has a golden opportunity with his surprise promotion to the top team. According to Alguersuari, the Japanese driver faces much less pressure than Liam Lawson did.
“I think Yuki has nothing to lose. The benchmark of doing a better job is quite easy for him, in a way that nobody is really expecting that much from him,” Alguersuari told Formula 1.
Tsunoda’s journey hasn’t been straightforward. He’s steadily improved over time, transforming into a consistent performer who maximizes his car’s potential.
“Yuki got better step by step and now he’s a very solid driver, getting the maximum out of his car. Last year, he did a great test for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi, and they didn’t give him the seat.”
The situation has now flipped in Tsunoda’s favor.
“Now it’s switched and I would say, if I were him, knowing that probably he is in his prime… I wouldn’t feel like there’s so much pressure on me.”
## Can Tsunoda stick around?
Lawson’s brief stint at Red Bull was disappointing. The Kiwi driver failed to score any points and couldn’t escape Q1 in qualifying, ultimately leading to his demotion to Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda’s home race at Suzuka gives him a perfect launching pad for his Red Bull career.
Alguersuari expects him to perform well right out of the gate. “It’s Yuki’s home Grand Prix, he knows very well the track, he’s coming from very solid, consistent races, with good performances. He’s very motivated to step into the big team, so I think it’s going to go well for him, honestly.”
The gap to Verstappen might not be as large as many predict.
“I would be surprised if he is much slower than Max. I think he’ll be slower, but I don’t think he’ll be more than half a second, six-tenths slower,” Alguersuari explained. “Making a better job of what Liam did in the first two races is something quite achievable, even though I don’t think it’s fair on Liam [to have been dropped].”
Could this turn into a long-term seat for Tsunoda? Red Bull’s driver decisions are notoriously unpredictable, but Alguersuari thinks Tsunoda has the best shot of any recent junior driver.
“To keep that Red Bull seat for a long time? I don’t know. You never know with Red Bull. At least he’s in the best situation possible of any of their junior drivers [in recent times], I would say.”
Rising star Arvid Linblad might disagree with that assessment, but for now, all eyes will be on Tsunoda’s performance at his home race.
