Ex-F1 driver voices Tsunoda to Red Bull hope

Ex-Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato has highlighted his desire to see Yuki Tsunoda promoted to Red Bull in place of Sergio Perez.

Tsunoda has been linked with the drive alongside Max Verstappen next year and made his test debut for Red Bull at the post-season outing in Abu Dhabi earlier this week.

However, it is widely reported that Liam Lawson is being considered as the most likely option to step up in place of a struggling Perez next year.

Honda Racing Corporation boss Koji Watanabe stated he was encouraged by Tsunoda’s outing at Red Bull on Tuesday.

In another message of support from his compatriots, Sato, a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, praised Tsunoda’s development from his debut season in 2021.

“From what I’ve seen, of course, with regards to Yuki, he showed amazing speed from Q1 at the 2021 Bahrain GP on debut, where he was second fastest,” he said.

“I think his growth as a driver has been steadily increasing over the past four years. 

“I met him at a test at Imola, for the first time in a while, and he seemed very relaxed, so I thought he’s become a really good driver, including at race management and race craft.

“Yuki now has speed, and I think he has grown a lot with age and experience, including his own self-control to manage well.”

RB team principal Laurent Mekies also backed Tsunoda for the promotion and insisted he proved his worth across the 2024 campaign.

Sato added: “We are hoping that he will drive for Red Bull, but I think it’s up to the team. 

“Yuki spoke to the media saying that his driving style and the Red Bull car, with its sharp front end, suit him well, so I think he must have had a very good test. Now, all we can do is pray.”