It’s no secret that Yuki Tsunoda didn’t wish to be driving for Racing Bulls this season, however he’s planning on remaining a group participant and assist his rookie team-mate if the going will get robust.
Isack Hadjar is one among six rookies on the grid, getting ready for his System 1 debut on the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. On the different finish of the size, Tsunoda will enter his fifth yr with the Crimson Bull junior outfit, which has undergone loads of identify modifications since he first took the wheel in 2021.
Having been eager to land a Crimson Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen this yr, Tsuonda as a substitute stays at Racing Bulls and the Japanese now faces an unsure future.
With a newcomer alongside him, the tables have turned since his debut yr when he raced alongside Pierre Gasly for the then-Alpha Tauri squad, the Frenchman having been racing in F1 for the reason that Malaysian Grand Prix of 2017.
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Group
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
Requested if he could be able to assume the function of the elder statesmen throughout the group, as Gasly had performed beforehand, Tsuonda advised Motorsport.com: “Sure, I’d say so positively. I imply, if he is in a state of affairs, I hope not, however he’s struggling or no matter, I will assist as a lot as doable if I can.
“Ultimately, I feel we’re these high 20 drivers on the earth, ultimately, he is aware of additionally find out how to get better from any onerous state of affairs.
“What I’ve performed additionally within the first yr was, I imply, I did not actually essentially ask Pierre what I ought to do or no matter, I simply regarded as much as him and the way he is behaving within the group and the way he was getting ready for the race and people issues.
“Naturally, you get it from the driving force so, let’s examine, Isack anyway, he’s quick and I’m certain it’s a completely different state of affairs to mine so let’s see.”
Having raced with each Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson at RB – because it was in 2024 –it was the latter who was chosen for promotion to Crimson Bull on the expense of Tsunoda however, having identified the New Zealander for years as a part of the group’s junior program, it was not going to impression on their friendship.
“I would not say completely satisfied for him, that’s sort of a lie, however he’s performed positively what he ought to do and he did his finest,” added Tsunoda.
“He gave 100% performances, and I additionally gave 100% performances and ultimately it was as much as Crimson Bull how they had been going to do it.
“It isn’t essentially an enormous feeling, it’s what it’s, and when it comes to friendship, I imply, we’re nonetheless pals, for certain, and we nonetheless chat one another, and I like to speak with him. I feel our friendship by no means actually modified.”
Photographs from Australian GP – Thursday
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Mark Mann-Bryans
System 1
Isack Hadjar
Yuki Tsunoda
Racing Bulls
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