Yuki Tsunoda is set to make his Red Bull debut. The Japanese driver received his long-awaited promotion to the Austrian team ahead of his home race in Japan, and will line up alongside Max Verstappen at Suzuka for the first time. Tsunoda reveals that team boss Christian Horner made him a promise prior to his Red Bull promotion, which also involves the four-time world champion.
Yuki Tsunoda is on the eve of his highly anticipated debut as a Red Bull driver. The Japanese driver has been racing for the Austrian team’s sister team since 2021, but it is only four years later, during his home race, that he will officially get behind the wheel of a Red Bull car for the first time. As the driver’s Red Bull debut draws closer, more details are emerging about the conditions surrounding Tsunoda’s promotion.
“Ultimately, Red Bull’s main goal is to help Max Verstappen win the driver’s title,” Tsunoda tells BBC Radio 5 Live. “He has enough potential to become world champion again, even though Red Bull is currently struggling.”
Horners Promise
Horner therefore immediately made it clear to the Japanese driver what his main task is as the second driver. “Horner wants me to get as close as possible to Max in terms of performance,” Tsunoda continues. “At some races, I can also help with the strategy.” However, Tsunoda will not always simply let Verstappen pass. “Horner promised me that if I occasionally drive ahead of Max, he won’t just ask me to let him pass.”
