Yuki Tsunoda reveals ambitious target for Red Bull debut at home race

Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda set a staggering target for his first race for Milton Keynes alongside Max Verstappen.

Yuki Tsunoda reveals ambitious target for Red Bull debut at home race

Yuki Tsunoda (via Getty)

Yuki Tsunoda will make his debut for Red Bull Racing at the Japanese GP next weekend. The 24-year-old finally got the call-up to Milton Keynes after Liam Lawson was demoted back to Racing Bulls. The upcoming race will be the biggest test in Tsunoda’s career so far. However, the Japanese driver is not making things easier by planning for an ambitious objective for the race.

Tsunoda got the chance to replace Lawson just two races into the 2025 season. It is believed that Honda, a backer of the Japanese driver was eager to have the 24-year-old race for Milton Keynes in front of the home crowd at Suzuka. Rumors emerged that Red Bull might’ve received over $10 million from the carmaker to orchestrate this driver swap.

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Yuki Tsunoda reckoned that he didn’t want others to increase expectations for his debut too much. However, the Japanese driver could not help but imagine himself on the podium at his home race. Certainly. this would be a dream outing for Tsunoda if he can finish in the top 3. Though, the 24-year-old acknowledged that such a massive target will not be easy to get especially at his first race for Red Bull.

I don’t want to raise expectations too much, but for this Japanese GP, I want to finish on the podium. That said, I know it won’t be easy right from the start.

Yuki Tsunoda said, as reported by Motorsport.com

Milton Keynes has failed to have a single driver who can match Max Verstappen in every race. Liam Lawson was touted to be the future prospect for Red Bull. Unfortunately, his dismal results in the first two rounds have raised doubts over his career. On the other hand, Yuki Tsunoda is expected to be closer to Verstappen than the Kiwi driver.

Yuki Tsunoda reveals priority at Red Bull

Yuki Tsunoda will not have time to adjust to his new team. He will be expected to be right at pace from the first session on Friday, alongside Max Verstappen. As the Japanese driver has not driven the RB21 yet. Thus, Tsunoda cannot waste even a single minute on-track to better familiarize himself with his new machinery for the remainder of the year.

Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen (via Racingnews365)
Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen during a press conference (via Racingnews365)

The 24-year-old recognizes this challenge. Yuki Tsunoda asserted that his first priority once he gets in the RB21 cockpit is to understand the car. He will try to find the difference between the RB21 and his VCARB02. Tsunoda pointed out that if he can get comfortable with the car from the first session, results will follow.

Subsequently, the Japanese driver reckoned that once he can be at ease with the RB21, he might actually find himself in contention for a spot on the podium in front of his home crowd. If the 24-year-old does succeed in fighting for the podium spot, Red Bull would be more than happy with the decision to demote Lawson in his favor.

My priority is to first understand the car, how it behaves compared to the VCARB. If I can naturally enjoy driving it as I get familiar with it in FP1, then the results will follow. And if that leads to a podium finish, that would be incredible.

Yuki Tsunoda stated

Moreover, Yuki Tsunoda pointed out that he was getting the opportunity to race in Japan during the final season for Honda with Red Bull, making the occasion even more special. He reckoned that everything fell right into place for him to get this chance.

This is the final year of Red Bull and Honda’s partnership, so getting to race in Suzuka as a Red Bull Racing driver feels like fate. Everything has fallen into place in just the right way for me to be standing here today.

Yuki Tsunoda explained

Certainly, Yuki Tsunoda will be hoping to have a good start to his stint at Red Bull Racing in Suzuka. Pressure will be on his shoulders once he gets inside the RB21 on Friday, but the 24-year-old has amassed enough experience to make his way through such a challenge. Fans will have to wait and see whether the Japanese driver can really succeed in showing his true pace at Milton Keynes in the coming weeks.