Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner has expressed optimism about the team’s newest driver, Yuki Tsunoda, following a challenging yet encouraging debut at the Japanese Grand Prix. Tsunoda, who stepped into the Red Bull seat just days before his home race, finished 12th in a weekend Horner described as “mixed,” but the team boss sees signs of progress as the Japanese driver adapts to the demanding RB21 car.
Tsunoda’s promotion came after Red Bull made the surprising decision to demote Liam Lawson to the Racing Bulls feeder team after only two races in the 2025 season. The move thrust Tsunoda into the spotlight at Suzuka, where he replaced Lawson alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Despite the pressure of racing on home soil, Tsunoda showed flashes of potential, though he failed to reach Q3 in qualifying and missed out on points in the race.
“He’s finding his feet in the team,” Horner said in a post-race interview with Sky Sports F1. “He’s settled in well, given very good feedback, and his pace in practice was strong. Qualifying dictated his race, but we will see over the next few races that his performance will step forward.”
Tsunoda qualified 15th after a mistake in Q2, starting behind Lawson, who managed 14th on the grid. However, the Japanese driver made a strong start, overtaking Lawson on the opening lap and later undercutting Alpine’s Pierre Gasly during the pit-stop phase. Despite spending much of the race stuck behind Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Tsunoda remained composed, finishing just outside the points.
“His P1 was very strong, and in Q1, he was only a tenth off Max,” Horner noted, referencing Tsunoda’s competitive pace early in the weekend. “He’s adapting quickly, and that’s what we need right now.”
The weekend was dominated by Verstappen, who secured a shock pole position and went on to claim his fourth consecutive Japanese GP victory, fending off McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Tsunoda, meanwhile, admitted to having “mixed feelings” about his debut. “I’m happy with my performance, but in terms of the result, it’s quite tough,” he told Sky Sports F1. “I was expecting more at my home Grand Prix, but I’m learning and gaining confidence in the car.”
Horner’s comments come amid a turbulent start to Red Bull’s 2025 campaign. The team’s decision to replace Lawson, who struggled in Australia and China, has drawn scrutiny, with Horner admitting they may have “asked too much too soon” of the young New Zealander. Tsunoda’s arrival is seen as a bid to bolster Red Bull’s efforts in the Constructors’ Championship, where they currently trail McLaren and Mercedes.
With Verstappen chasing a fifth Drivers’ title, Red Bull has made it clear their priority is maximizing his performance, but Horner emphasized the importance of a strong second driver. “We need both cars scoring consistently,” he said earlier this season. Tsunoda’s experience—nearly five years in Formula 1—could prove vital as Red Bull aims to close the gap to their rivals.