F1 star enters Red Bull seat contention after RB chief's BIG claim

Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, VCARB, Visa, Bahrain, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

F1 star enters Red Bull seat contention after RB chief's BIG claim

A surprise new name is now in the running to replace Sergio Perez in 2025.

Originally written by Sam Cook. This version is a translation.

Tuesday 9 April 2024 21:00

A Formula 1 team principal has revealed that his driver is in the running to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull and become Max Verstappen's next team-mate.

The coveted seat alongside the Dutchman has been filled by a plethora of talented drivers in the past, including Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon.

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Australian Daniel Ricciardo is the only driver that has been able to get the better of Verstappen over the course of a full season at Red Bull, and other names have fallen by the way-side after a relatively short period of time.

Perez is into his fourth season as Verstappen's team-mate and, despite losing out to the 26-year-old in all three previous seasons that the pair have been together, has been praised for his solid performances that have helped Red Bull claim two consecutive world championship doubles.

Yuki Tsunoda has started 2024 in brilliant fashion

Yuki Tsunoda could be in with a chance of a Red Bull seat

Tsunoda playing himself into Red Bull contention

While Ricciardo's form has fallen off a cliff, Yuki Tsunoda has been putting in some brilliant performances for RB, scoring points in two of the first four races and out-qualifying Ricciardo at all four events.

RB team principal Peter Bayer has praised Tsunoda for his upturn in performance in 2024, and suggested that he may be in the thoughts of Red Bull and other big teams as we head into a crucial few months in the driver market.

"Definitely. We spoke about it often," he told Sky Germany at the Japanese Grand Prix.

"He’s been going upwards over the last six months, is focused and concentrated. He’s been going forward and is looking strong. Pace-wise and mentally, he took a step forward. He transitioned from a teenager to an adult, he’s delivering great results.

"Helmut Marko has spoken about this [Tsunoda's chances of a Red Bull seat] and said that he won’t be making any decisions yet, but I believe that Yuki’s steady push forward will shed a positive light onto him, making him interesting to the teams.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Daniel Ricciardo F1 Sergio Perez Pierre Gasly