Tsunoda "not super angry or disappointed" when Lawson promoted

Red Bull announced after the end of last season that Lawson, with only 11 Formula 1 races to his name, would replace Sergio Perez, who struggled throughout 2024 and does not have a seat on the 2025 grid. Tsunoda, with 87 Grand Prix starts, was overlooked in favour of his former Racing Bulls team-mate.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the F1 75 LIVE event in London on Tuesday, Tsunoda said of the Red Bull snub: “I’ve already kind of parked last year straight away from my head. The moment it [Lawson to Red Bull] was announced, I didn’t actually feel that super angry or disappointed.

“Maybe I was prepared inside my head at some point. In the end, whether I am at Red Bull or Racing Bulls, the things I have to do are the same. In both ways, they are cool projects.

“At Red Bull, you are team-mates with Max, which is not easy, but at the same time, you can prove yourself on a different stage. At Racing Bulls, you experience more leadership, I guess, which I have to develop myself more.

“I just stick with what I’m doing. I understand why they chose Liam. It is what it is. It is something I can’t control. I still have high hopes for this season. I just keep focused and prove myself more that I deserve to be in F1 in general, I guess.”

With Honda parting ways with Red Bull at the end of 2025. The Japanese manufacturer will become Aston Martin’s exclusive power unit supplier from 2026, when new technical regulations take effect. Tsunoda himself believes he deserves a top-team seat as he enters his fifth season with the Red Bull sister outfit.

“Obviously I would like to stay in this Red Bull family. I feel already pretty committed to everyone [at Racing Bulls], which for me is very important as a driver to develop myself and focus on what I want to do.

“Everyone is in the same direction, and I feel a lot of support from them, which means a lot to me. Whatever happens, there will be interesting options, but my main target is to be in this team and the Red Bull family.”

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner acknowledged the challenge for any driver partnering Verstappen, highlighting the Dutchman's dominance within the team.

“Driving alongside Max is the hardest seat in Formula 1 because he is the best driver on the grid.

“He is a four-time Formula 1 world champion, he's a generational talent. You've got to ignore almost what’s going on within his car so as to not put too much pressure on yourself,” added Horner.