Tsunoda reveals Red Bull expectations after Lawson swap

F1

Yuki Tsunoda has explained the performance level Red Bull is demanding as he joins the F1 team — and says that he will be allowed to beat Max Verstappen if he's quick enough

Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda having seat fitting with Red Bull

Yuki Tsunoda having seat fitting with Red Bull

Yuki Tsunoda has revealed the expectations Red Bull has set for his racing debut with the team in this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Tsunoda is swapping places with Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen from the Suzuka race after the New Zealander struggled in the opening two rounds of the 2025 F1 season.

The move, which has been widely criticised, will allow Tsunoda to finally get a seat he has been pushing for for several years, having driven for Red Bull’s sister team since the 2021 season.

After Lawson struggled at the back of the field both in Australia and China, Red Bull is hoping the change will result in a stronger line-up that sees Tsunoda be a better match for Verstappen.

The Japanese driver has said ahead of his home race that Red Bull team boss Christian Horner’s expectations is for him to be as close as possible to his new team-mate.

Yuki Tsunoda having seat fitting with Red Bull

Yuki Tsunoda having seat fitting with Red Bull

Yuki Tsunoda having seat fitting with Red Bull

“First call I got was from Christian. I heard expectations from him, what he wants from myself and also what kind of team dynamics they’re having,” Tsunoda told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Basically he said, ‘Welcome to Red Bull Racing’ and he was excited.”

Asked about the expectations that Horner set for him, Tsunoda said: “Be close as much as possible to Max. Red Bull Racing [is] focused on Max to score a drivers’ championship.

“He proves himself enough to have good potential to be world champion even though Red Bull seems a little bit struggling now, but I’m sure they will develop the car.”

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Tsunoda said that he has been promised he will be allowed to finish ahead of Verstappen if the circumstance arises, although he conceded that he will be happy to just score points in his first outing with the team.

“Obviously I want to say points or a podium or whatever,” Tsunoda added. “But at the same time, realistically, you think about jumping into the new car straight away with limited sessions, that’s pretty tough.

“I think what I can say for now is if I can score points – top 10 – I’ll be happy.

“But also he promised me that in some situation if I able to be ahead of Max, he wouldn’t necessarily ask me to swap the position and let Max win so I think it’s very fair and I’m sure it won’t be easy anyway to straight away beat Max.

“Also, I just have to get used to the car. But still, I’m very excited.”

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