Yuki Tsunoda has asserted he was not angered by Red Bull’s decision to deny him a spot at the front-running squad this year.
Red Bull confirmed at the end of last season that it had parted ways with Sergio Perez after the Mexican driver endured a dismal campaign.
Tsunoda and Liam Lawson were immediately promoted as the candidates to replace Perez, with the latter receiving the call-up.
Tsunoda will embark on a fifth season with the Red Bull sister team this year and declared he has no overhanging emotions from being overlooked.
“Last year’s thing, I already parked, put it out my head to be honest,” Tsunoda told media including RacingNews365.
“The moment they officially announced it, I didn’t feel that super angry or disappointed.
“Maybe I was prepared inside of my head at some point, but in the end, even when I go to Racing Bulls, VCARB or Red Bull, the things I have to do are the same.
“So, in both ways, you can do pretty cool projects.
“Maybe if I go to Red Bull, maybe be a team-mate [to] Max, you can prove yourself in a different stage.”
Despite the latest setback in his bid to acquire a front-running seat, Tsunoda asserted the blow has not dented his confidence.
“Even with Racing Bulls, there are different things that I’ve never probably experienced, more like leadership, I guess, things that I have to at some point to develop myself more,” he said.
“I just kind of stick to what I’m doing. I understand why they chose Liam, it is what it is.
“It’s the things I can control and respect that, and yeah, definitely still have hope this season.
“I just keep focused on what I have to do, prove myself more than I deserve to be in F1.”
