Stay as close as possible to Verstappen, Horner sets Tsunoda a clear goal

Yuki Tsunoda has a clear objective from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner—stay as close as possible to Max Verstappen. The 24-year-old Japanese driver, who recently replaced Liam Lawson, is set for his first race alongside the four-time world champion at Suzuka.

Tsunoda was announced as Liam Lawson’s replacement last week after the New Zealander was dropped just two races into the season.

This weekend, he will partner Verstappen for the first time, competing in front of his home crowd at Suzuka. Red Bull, currently third in the constructors’ standings after two races, has tasked Tsunoda with finishing as near as possible to Verstappen to strengthen the team’s position.

Verstappen currently sits second in the drivers' championship, trailing McLaren’s Lando Norris by eight points.

"Tsunoda explained that Red Bull Racing’s main focus is securing a championship for Max. While the team has faced some challenges, Verstappen has proven his ability to be a world champion," he stated.

Tsunoda also shared that Horner expects him to match Verstappen’s pace as closely as possible. While he may play a strategic role in some races, Horner assured him that if he finds himself ahead of Verstappen in certain situations, he won’t necessarily be asked to give up his position.

Lawson, who had been promoted to Red Bull’s main team for the 2025 season, was reassigned to Racing Bulls after disappointing performances in the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. The New Zealander struggled in Melbourne, qualifying 18th before crashing out of the race, and had a difficult weekend in China, qualifying last for both the sprint and the main event before finishing 14th and 12th, respectively.

Verstappen appeared to express disagreement with Lawson’s demotion by ‘liking’ an Instagram post from former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, who described the decision as a "panic move."

Tsunoda, who had been part of Red Bull’s second team since his F1 debut in 2021, revealed he has yet to speak to Verstappen since stepping into Lawson’s seat.

"I mentioned it a while ago, but he’s quite different in how he acts inside and outside the car," Tsunoda remarked. "I’m not too concerned about our relationship on or off the track. I know what I want to do, and I have a good idea of how he thinks and drives."

As he prepares for his home grand prix on Sunday, Tsunoda remains realistic about his expectations, stating that securing a top-10 finish would be a satisfying result.

"Of course, I’d love to say I’m aiming for points, a podium, or something bigger," he said. "But considering the challenge of adapting to a new car with limited sessions, it won’t be easy. For now, if I can score points and finish in the top 10, I’ll be happy."

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