Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, Formula 1
Ryan Smart
Yuki Tsunoda has commented for the first time since it was announced he will replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull from the Japanese Grand Prix.
The team confirmed on Thursday morning that the Japanese driver will be promoted from the Racing Bulls team ahead of the third race of the 2025 season.
Lawson, who was signed by Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez before the season began, failed to score a point for his new team and will now return to Racing Bulls, where he will team with Isack Hadjar.
In a video message posted to the official Racing Bulls Twitter account, Tsunoda said: "Hey guys, Yuki here. I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, and to the amazing VCARB fans for such an amazing ride, and so many special memories.
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"I'm staying in the Red Bull family, so I won't be far. I'll see you guys around the paddock."
The Japanese driver then posted a photo of himself in a Red Bull race suit to Instagram, simply captioning the post: "Ready for the challenge ahead."
Tsunoda only scored three points in the opening two race weekends, finishing in sixth place in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint.
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But he was good value for many more points, having ran as high as fifth and seventh in the Australia and China races proper respectively.
However, strategy errors in both races - and a bizarre front wing failure in China - put paid to his chances of adding further points to his tally.
Tsunoda tested for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi last year and claimed that the team were 'impressed' by his performance.
The Japanese driver has long been tipped for a promotion to the 'main' team but has been repeatedly overlooked, with many F1 fans and pundits criticising the decision not to choose him as Perez's replacement over Lawson.
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Now, Tsunoda gets the opportunity to show what he is truly capable of in a car that several Verstappen team-mates have endured serious difficulties with.
Verstappen finished in second place in Australia in wet conditions, but a fourth-placed finish in China appears to be far more representative of the Red Bull's true pace compared to McLaren, Mercedes and even Ferrari.