Tsunoda receives bold ‘promise’ from Horner amid Red Bull debut

Yuki Tsunoda will be basking in the spotlight this weekend at Suzuka where the freshly promoted Red Bull Racing driver will make his long-awaited debut with his new team at his home race in Japan.

After just two rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Tsunoda has swapped seats with Liam Lawson and now finds himself in the infamous second seat at Red Bull – a role that has proven challenging for many before him.

However, the 24-year-old is approaching his sudden opportunity with confidence, buoyed by a surprising promise from team boss Christian Horner.

Tsunoda has revealed that Horner has given him assurances about his role within the team, particularly in the unlikely scenario where he might outpace Verstappen on track.

While Red Bull’s primary focus remains on the Dutchman’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship, Tsunoda’s comments suggest a shift in the team’s dynamic – one that could allow Red Bull’s recruit to showcase his talent without always deferring to his teammate.

Horner’s Promise and Team Dynamics

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Tsunoda outlined the team’s priorities and his place within them.

“In the end, Red Bull Racing are focused on Max scoring a Drivers’ championship,” he explained. “He has proven himself to have good potential to be a world champion, even though Red Bull seems to be struggling a little now.”

“Performance-wise, [Red Bull Team Principal Horner] wants me to be as close to Max as possible. In some races, I can help with the strategy, but he also promised me in some situations that if I’m able to be in front of Max that he wouldn’t necessarily ask me to swap positions and make Max win.”

This assurance marks a departure from the traditional expectation that Red Bull’s second driver must always yield to Verstappen, offering Tsunoda a rare chance to race on merit.

When asked about his relationship with Verstappen, Tsunoda dismissed any concerns.

“I’m not really worrying about the relationship we’re going to have in both sides. I know what I want to do and probably how he drives and how he thinks,” he said.

His focus, it seems, is on performance rather than politics – a mindset that should serve him well in the high-pressure environment of Red Bull.

Gearing Up for Suzuka

Tsunoda’s debut at Suzuka presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Stepping into a new car with limited preparation time, he’s realistic about the task ahead.

“My first challenge is to get to grips with this car,” he explained. “I have driven it on the sim but my first time will be in practice, so I have to get up to speed quickly.

“I’ve been working with my new team in the UK over the last week to prepare as best I can and I will continue that ethic once we get to Suzuka.

"I will take learnings from Max and try and get the most from this weekend for the Team. My goal is to drive fast, give lots of feedback and make the car better.”

The Japanese driver’s preparation has been meticulous, and he’s eager to leverage Verstappen’s experience to improve both his own performance and the team’s overall package.

With Suzuka being his home Grand Prix, the stakes – and the support from the crowd – will be higher than ever.

Realistic Goals for a Dream Debut

While Tsunoda dreams of a standout debut, he’s keeping his expectations grounded.

“Obviously I want to say points or a podium or whatever,” he admitted. “But at the same time, realistically, you think about jumping into the new car straight away with limited sessions, that’s pretty tough.

“I think what I can say for now is if I can score points – top 10 – I’ll be happy.”

A top-10 finish would mark a solid start in a car he’s yet to fully master, setting the stage for bigger achievements as the season progresses.

But for Tsunoda, this weekend is about more than just results – it’s about proving he belongs at Red Bull.

With Horner’s promise in his back pocket, he has a rare opportunity to race Verstappen on equal terms, at least in certain situations.

Whether he can capitalize on that freedom and break the curse of Red Bull’s second seat remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Tsunoda is ready to take on the challenge, one lap at a time.

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