Yuki Tsunoda makes worrying claim about Red Bull car just hours before Japanese Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda has spoken about the Red Bull car ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

After the Chinese Grand Prix, it was confirmed that Tsunoda would replace Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen's teammate.

The 23-year-old New Zealander endured a tough start to life as a Red Bull driver and was brutally axed after two disappointing performances.

Looking ahead, the pressure will now be firmly placed on Tsunoda, who will make his debut during his home race in Suzuka this weekend.

Speaking prior to the weekend, Tsunoda was asked whether he has driven the RB21 on the simulator.

In response, the 24-year-old made the worrying admission that he expects the car to be challenging and hinted at the 'instability'.

He said: "The difference is last year’s car I drove in the real track, but this time it was the simulator, and the simulator is always quite easy to handle the car more comfortably. You don’t really necessarily need confidence, right? It’s just kind of virtual. It’s a bit of a difference there.

"I was expecting a lot more trickiness, because of how Liam struggled. I’m sure it’s still going to be very challenging, it’s a lot different car to the RB [Racing Bulls]. I just need to take it easy, just feel the car, but still definitely it will be challenging.

"I didn’t feel yet the exact trickiness what the driver is saying. and I can add a bit of an idea from the simulator, but it’s always a bit different from the simulator to real car."

Tsunoda added: "I, at the same time, can feel what the drivers were mentioning about the instability or driver confidence things. But I mean, I did multiple setups that I want to try to make it a little bit better. And actually those two days sim, was pretty productive, and at least I know now what kind of direction I want to start.

"And that seems to be also a good baseline as an overall performance as well. I think it was really, really good simulator sessions."

The Japanese Grand Prix race will take place around the Suzuka Circuit on Sunday, with lights out at 6am UK time.