Not hearing from Marko on Red Bull F1 promotion is “very unusual”

Yuki Tsunoda had detailed the timeline of his Red Bull Formula 1 promotion ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, revealing he has yet to speak to his mentor Helmut Marko.

Shortly after the Chinese Grand Prix Red Bull took the ruthless decision to swap Tsunoda with Liam Lawson after two difficult weekends for the New Zealander aboard the Red Bull RB21, with Tsunoda stepping into the seat for Japan while Lawson returns to satellite team Racing Bulls.

Tsunoda said he was informed shortly after the Shanghai weekend by team principal Christian Horner that there might be some imminent news on his future. But the Japanese driver says he hasn’t yet heard from Red Bull’s driver advisor Marko, which he found “very unusual”.

“The first call I got was from Christian right after China, that I should maybe be prepared for when things are going to change a little bit,” Tsunoda said. “I guess it was Tuesday or something like that.

“Surprisingly, [Marko] didn’t call me yet, very unusual. So, I’m not sure if he was busy with other things. I can’t wait to see him, how he’s going to react to me [moving]. But yeah, it’s very unusual. From F3 to F1, he was always calling me, but this time he didn’t call me. So, I’m sure there’s not anything from his side. We have still a good relationship, so let’s see how he reacts to that.”

Helmut Marko, Consultant, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

Photo by: Shameem Fahath

By the time Tsunoda got the call he would be changing teams in Japan, he was in the team’s simulator to prepare the Suzuka weekend for Racing Bulls, having to quickly jump into the virtual rendition of the Red Bull instead.

“I was in the UK anyway for our preparation for Suzuka with Racing Bulls, and the plan changed,” he said. “Immediately I had a similar session with the Red Bull. I think at that point I was spending two, three days in the UK.”

Tsunoda said he received supportive messages from former Red Bull drivers Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly, and while the pressure is on for him to perform on his home weekend in a car he hasn’t driven yet, he says he isn’t feeling the weight of expectation just yet.

“No, I guess the pressure will always come once you hit the track but for now, I’m really relaxing somehow,” he explained. “It feels actually similar to when I was in Racing Bulls. Once I entered the hospitality, I was only thinking about breakfast! So, I don’t necessarily feel pressure so far.

“Those things will naturally come in the race at my home grand prix. In qualifying, I’m sure it’s going to be hectic. But now there’s not much point to feeling pressure.”

Additional reporting by Jake Boxall-Legge

Photos from Japanese GP – Thursday