As of the upcoming GP in Austin, Visa RB driver Yuki Tsunoda will be joined by a new teammate. Daniel Ricciardo, who had to bow out after Singapore, will be replaced in Texas by reserve driver Liam Lawson. Tsunoda has been driving for Red Bull’s secondary team for nearly four seasons, yet he has not been promoted. According to former driver Anthony Davidson, the young Japanese driver is being overlooked.
In a podcast by Sky Sports, Anthony Davidson, who raced in twenty-four Grands Prix in Formula 1 between 2002 and 2008, discusses the future of Yuki Tsunoda. Why hasn’t the 24-year-old Japanese driver been given a chance at Red Bull? “They’re looking for something magical,” Davidson said about the team management in Milton Keynes. “Perhaps they thought they’d find it in Ricciardo. Of course, there have been moments when he could have beaten Tsunoda, but we must not forget that Tsunoda has greatly improved over the past few years.”
Understanding the Growth of a Racing Driver
“It’s quite normal for drivers to push too hard at the start of their career, causing crashes,” Davidson explained. “However, over time they learn to drive more calmly and find their rhythm. Yuki Tsunoda has learned this lesson and is now a much better driver than some people think. He has really developed well and is ready for the next step. Yet, he is constantly overlooked.”
Tsunoda’s Performance Against Other Drivers
“All those drivers who have raced alongside him – Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo, and also Nyck de Vries – Tsunoda has beaten them all,” Davidson elaborated. “That can’t be a coincidence.” The former driver doesn’t understand why Tsunoda hasn’t been given a chance at Red Bull. “No one talks about it, but why couldn’t he replace Pérez?”
Tsunoda’s Potential in Red Bull
“Tsunoda is a fiery driver,” Davidson concluded. “I can’t imagine him being broken by Max Verstappen. He’s too resilient for that. I think Ricciardo misjudged that, but no one seems to realize it.” Ricciardo has scored twelve points this season for Visa RB, while his Japanese teammate’s tally is already at twenty-two.
