Yuki Tsunoda produced a performance worthy of two multiple champion in his home race weekend, says Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko.
He lavished praise on Tsunoda’s form across the Suzuka weekend, comparing it to that of Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. The RB driver beat team mate Daniel Ricciardo to the final place in Q3, then out-ran Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and others to score the final point.
Tsunoda’s race started badly as he lined up on the medium compound tyres and was pounced on by rivals who used the soft rubber. However at the restart which followed his team mate’s first-lap crash, Tsunoda switched to soft tyres and regained those lost places and more.
“At the second start, Yuki did sensationally well,” Marko told Red Bull-owned publication Speed Week. “His overtaking manoeuvres were the show of the day.
“The fans were completely over the moon. His weekend was at the level of Max, Alonso and co. Flawless, a great performance under the pressure of his home race.”
Marko’s words will offer encouragement to Tsunoda that, after four years with Red Bull’s second team, he may be under serious consideration for promotion to the senior outfit. But although team mate Sergio Perez is out of contract at the end of the year, he has started the season strongly and finished second to Verstappen on Sunday.
“Checo was also very solid,” said Marko. “He was unlucky at the pit stop, but he got himself back into the game with a great manoeuvre against Hamilton in the [130R] corner. He’s definitely having his best season with us so far.”
Marko indicated Red Bull will not take a decision on who will be Verstappen’s team mate next year until later in the season.
“In my opinion, the fact that the transfer rumor mill is already cooking like this at the beginning of April is due to several factors,” he said. “First: Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari so early. And if ‘radio paddock’ is to be trusted, Audi wants a decision from Carlos Sainz [Jnr] very soon. Aston Martin is also putting pressure in several directions.
“We do not take part in these games. We won’t hear from Red Bull Racing until the middle of the season about what’s going on in terms of personnel.”
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