Yuki Tsunoda claims he’s ready to ‘fight against Max Verstappen’ amidst 2025 Red Bull rumors

Yuki Tsunoda is highly keen to occupy the empty seat at Red Bull if the team were to oust Sergio Perez amidst failing performances.

Yuki Tsunoda claims he’s ready to ‘fight against Max Verstappen’ amidst 2025 Red Bull rumors

Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen (Via: Imago)

Yuki Tsunoda has continued to showcase impressive performance in the 2024 season against Daniel Ricciardo at RB. Despite the efforts, the Japanese driver hasn’t been considered for an upgrade in the Red Bull family. Regardless, Tsunoda claims he is ready to fight with Max Verstappen amidst Sergio Perez‘s failing performances.

Yuki Tsunoda was considering a move to the Haas F1 team due to fewer chances of a promotion up the Red Bull chain. However, it is still rumored that Tsunoda will be considered for Red Bull due to Sergio Perez‘s ongoing woes. The 24-year-old had stated that ‘anything could happen’ despite Perez’s two-year contract extension.

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However, since then, Yuki Tsunoda claimed that he was ready to fight with the top teams for the top spot. Additionally, Tsunoda was also ready to lock horns with Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Subsequently, the Japanese driver noted that the Milton-Keynes-based team was the one deciding the driver’s future in F1.

I’m feeling ready to fight against the top teams, higher positions and even Max [Verstappen]. In the end, they [Red Bull] are the ones that are going to decide and it's one of the things I can’t control. 
Yuki Tsunoda said, as reported by racingnews365.com.

Yuki Tsunoda ‘focusing’ on upcoming F1 double-header

RB has showcased an inconsistent performance in the 2024 season with their drivers’ lineup. Tsunoda has continued to score some points while Daniel Ricciardo failed heavily to score well. Hence, the 24-year-old claimed that he was focused on the upcoming two races before the summer break. The Japanese driver pointed out that Haas was coming extremely close to RB’s points in the standings.

Yuki Tsunoda
Yuki Tsunoda(via IMAGO)
I’m just focusing on what I have to do in next two races, Haas is getting really close, so I have to stay focused with our team.
Yuki Tsunoda added.

Apart from this, Yuki Tsunoda commented on Sergio Perez’s recent performances and how Red Bull wasn’t rushing into looking at other driver options.

They're not really rushing it, Checo was also announced [for 2025] two races before or a race before, Checo might perform really well and if the driver is performing well, they don't have a reason to change drivers.
Yuki Tsunoda noted.

The 2024 season is extremely exciting because of the compactness of the grid. RB is continuously attempting to score great points and is very close to the Haas F1 team. The American constructor is giving tough competition to Faenza as the two teams might showcase a great competition sometime soon.

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