One of the most talked-about driver moves of the season has been Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull. Mexican driver Sergio Perez believes that the young Japanese driver fully deserves this opportunity and possesses the mental resilience needed to race alongside Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s Unexpected Decision
At the end of the 2024 season, Sergio Perez lost his seat at Red Bull. The team initially evaluated Liam Lawson against Yuki Tsunoda in the final races of the season before making a decision about their future lineup. However, in a surprising turn of events, Lawson was sent back to Racing Bulls after just two race weekends, and Red Bull ultimately decided to bring Tsunoda into the team.
Perez’s Support for Tsunoda
Speaking to F1.com, Perez expressed his continued connection to Red Bull and his support for Tsunoda:
"I genuinely want the team to do well because I have many friends there. I spent four years as part of the Red Bull family, and seeing them succeed would make me happy. However, assessing the situation from the outside is tough. Without knowing the internal dynamics, it’s not easy to comment."
Perez also highlighted the challenges of adapting to Red Bull’s car, emphasizing that extracting top performance is no simple task:
"Getting 100% out of this car is really tough. Finding confidence behind the wheel doesn’t come easily. I had my own struggles, and even Adrian Newey acknowledged some of these issues. But I wish them all the best."
In particular, Perez voiced his confidence in Tsunoda’s abilities, praising both his speed and mental toughness:
"Yuki’s engineer Woody is a great friend of mine. Yuki has the talent and the speed, but more importantly, he has the mental strength and the right mindset to compete at this level. I really hope they succeed."
Messages of Support for Tsunoda
As he prepared for his first race with Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda revealed that he had received supportive messages from former teammate Pierre Gasly and Sergio Perez.
"Pierre sent me a message and said he wanted to share his experience at Red Bull. He admitted that there were certain things he didn’t do during his time there and wanted to give me some advice. That was a really kind gesture, and his tips were very helpful for me."
Tsunoda also expressed gratitude for a message from Perez and the overall support from the Red Bull family:
"I also received a message from Checo. The entire Red Bull team has been supportive, but these two in particular have been really encouraging, and I’m truly grateful to them."
Tsunoda’s performance at Red Bull will be a key factor in shaping the team’s season strategy and competitiveness. His mental resilience will play a crucial role in his ability to thrive at the highest level of motorsport.