From rookie rage to an ‘outstanding’ all-rounder – Yuki Tsunoda’s rollercoaster ride to a Red Bull seat

After four seasons of relative stability, Red Bull decided that enough was enough and parted ways with Perez during the winter break – meaning, for the first time since Tsunoda debuted in F1, there would be an opening next to Verstappen.

Speaking a few weeks earlier about Red Bull’s apparent unwillingness to promote him, and the likelihood of Lawson getting the nod for 2025 instead, Tsunoda commented: “I always say that I definitely deserve that seat. I can’t say more than that. It’s up to them.

READ MORE: ‘I wasn’t super angry’ – Tsunoda ‘understands’ why Red Bull picked Lawson for 2025 promotion

“But this thing, I can’t control. It’s just part of life. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing. Whenever they keep sending their driver to me to beat me, I just keep destroying them, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

Lawson, with only 11 starts compared to Tsunoda’s 87, was ultimately given the chance.

Tsunoda gets the call – but can he crack the code?

Just a few months and two races on from axing Perez and promoting Lawson, Red Bull found themselves with a major driver-related headache – the New Zealander’s results falling well below their expectations in Australia and China.

Rather than mixing it in Q3 and scoring points, Lawson dropped out in Q1 and crashed out of the race at the rain-hit season opener, then qualified last for both the Sprint and Grand Prix a week later, as he battled to tame the RB21.