Liam Lawson has been demoted by Red Bull after failing to score a point so far in 2025 with Yuki Tsunoda called up to replaced the Kiwi as Max Verstappen’s team-mate
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft believes it is “no coincidence” that Red Bull have elevated Yuki Tsunoda into the top team in time for the Japanese Grand Prix. He has replaced Liam Lawson who has been demoted back down to junior team Racing Bulls after failing to score a single point across the first two rounds of the new Formula 1 season.
Tsunoda has more experience and Red Bull say they believe that will be vital to them in the coming months as they bid to make their car faster and more driveable. He will debut for the team at his home race at Suzuka on April 6.
There has been speculation that engine partners Honda may have pressed for Tsunoda to get that seat and Croft believes Red Bull might be gambling on a fairytale outcome. Appearing on Sky Sports News, the commentator was asked what he believes Tsunoda needs to do to cement his place alongside Max Verstappen going forward.
He replied: “I suppose the glib remark is, ‘Don’t qualify last for your home Grand Prix’. He might have a sensational weekend, and I hope he does. We go back to 2012, don’t we, for the last time we had a Japanese driver on the podium, and that was Kamui Kobayashi at the Japanese Grand Prix.
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“It will be a fairytale to see Yuki Tsunoda get on the podium in front of his home fans, and I’m sure that’s what Honda, who are Yuki Tsunoda’s backers, are wanting and secretly hoping for and why they probably had quite a big part and played quite a big part in getting Yuki Tsunoda that seat for this particular race. There’s no coincidence that it is the Japanese Grand Prix coming up next.”
It will be tough for Tsunoda to achieve that given how difficult the team’s RB21 car is to drive, and the fact he has yet to experience it for himself. Croft believes the 24-year-old has to adopt a longer-term approach to the task and not make the mistake of trying to beat Verstappen now that he is in equal machinery to the four-time champion.
He added: “If Yuki gets a long term [contract], he’s got to get to within a couple of tenths of a second in qualifying of his team-mate Max Verstappen. He’s got to score consistent points and be there to take the chances when they come his way.
“Don’t think about beating Max Verstappen yet, although I’m sure Yuki would dearly love to do that. Max is the best driver on the grid, currently. Forget about who his team-mate is, just go out and do the maximum he can each and every session, every qualifying session and every race.
“That maybe might ease the pressure that he’s now going to be put under because there is a huge pressure difference between racing for Racing Bulls, despite doing very well and being very unlucky not to score points in the first two races, and racing for Red Bull, who are expectants of championship wins, championship points, and championships.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen is unhappy with the decision and young driver chief Helmut Marko has explained why they have pressed ahead despite the Dutchman’s opposition. He said: “We know Max is not happy. But we need two cars at the front. Not only for the constructors’ championship, but also to help Max to his fifth title. Then you can achieve more strategically in races.”
