Yuki Tsunoda’s answer to a question about potentially replacing Liam Lawson at Red Bull caused Racing Bulls’ PR person to usher him away.
Tsunoda, 24, is currently part of the Racing Bulls team having renewed his contract at the manufacturer in June 2024 until the end of the 2025 season.
The Japanese and Lawson, 23, were previously teammates at Red Bull’s junior team although the New Zealander was preferred when the outfit replaced Sergio Perez over the winter months.
However, the 23-year-old has come under fire after a poor start to life at his new team – and he will start 20th on the grid during Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit.
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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has supposedly already made up his mind about the new driver after Lawson finished 18th at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne last weekend.
"It’s a circuit he’s never seen before," Horner told Sky Sports F1. "So I think we have to be fair and give him time. And he will he will get there.
“But we just need to give him the back and give him time. And, you know, he’s in a highly pressured seat. And it doesn’t get any easier.”
“I think Liam’s got a pretty sensible head on his shoulders,” Horner said at a press conference on Friday.
“It was a tough baptism for him [in Melbourne].
“He still came away with the second fastest race lap. And I just told him: 'Ignore the naysayers, ignore social media, put your head down and you’ll be fine. He just needs a bit of time'."
Nonetheless, speculation from the media continues to swirl and Tsunoda was asked if he would be happy to take on the challenge of driving for Red Bull if the opportunity presented itself.
"Yeah, why not,” said Tsunoda. “Always."
A follow-up question then suggested a switch at the Japanese Grand Prix in just over two weeks to which he replied: “In Japan? Yeah, 100%. I mean, the car is faster."
After giving his thoughts, the 24-year-old was then swiftly pulled away by a member of Racing Bulls' PR team.
Luke Davies