The Formula 1 community is buzzing with speculation regarding the future of Red Bull Racing’s driver lineup, particularly surrounding the apparent overlooking of Yuki Tsunoda as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez.
Perez, whose performance has been under scrutiny, has managed to maintain his position thus far, overcoming challenges from other drivers like Daniel Ricciardo.
Despite his formidable performance, especially after a dismal showing at the Monaco Grand Prix, Perez remains a key figure in the 2024 racing season.
Contrastingly, Yuki Tsunoda, who races for Red Bull’s sister team, has shown impressive form but hasn’t been seriously considered for Perez’s spot.
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Tom Clarkson, host of the F1 Nation podcast, expressed his bafflement at Tsunoda’s exclusion: “I can’t understand why he isn’t part of the conversation for the second Red Bull seat.”
Echoing Clarkson’s sentiment, Diego Mejia, a journalist with Fox Sports Mexico, shared his confusion about the oversight, “I don’t think he understands either, why his name isn’t even brought up as a possible driver for Red Bull in the future.”
Mejia praised Tsunoda’s current performance, highlighting his consistent success over seasoned drivers such as Ricciardo, a former Monaco Grand Prix winner.
“He’s doing all the right things. He is beating a former Monaco winner.
“Daniel was, at one point, one of the top drivers in F1. He’s getting beaten by Yuki on a consistent basis now.”
Tsunoda’s maturity and improved temperament have also been noted.
Mejia recalled a minor incident in Bahrain where Tsunoda was instructed to yield to Ricciardo, which he handled professionally.
“After that, he’s been on it. He’s really delivered.”
The young driver’s future is a hot topic, with Aston Martin emerging as a potential destination due to their impending partnership with Honda in 2026.
This connection could be advantageous for Tsunoda, providing a path to a team that aligns with his backing from the Japanese manufacturer.
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Amid these discussions, Perez’s future with Red Bull remains uncertain.
Despite indications that he might retain his seat for another year, team principal Christian Horner has not definitively confirmed his continuation.
This ongoing uncertainty, combined with Tsunoda’s rising form and the financial implications of Perez’s errors, such as the costly crash in Monaco, continues to fuel debate over what might be the best strategic move for Red Bull in the coming seasons.