Tsunoda: I will take learnings from Verstappen

Tsunoda has finally realized his dream of racing for Red Bull Racing and will start that in the best way possible, at his home race, the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix.

However, that could end up being a double-edged sword with the pressure piling up on the Japanese driver's shoulders, who was announced as Liam Lawson's replacement days before this weekend's Formula 1 race at Suzuka.

"It's been a bit of a crazy week!" Tsunoda said. "I was happy when I was told the news I would be driving for Oracle Red Bull Racing, my main emotions were excitement and motivation.

"I feel honoured to be driving for the Team. To make my debut for Oracle Red Bull Racing at my home race in Japan makes it even more crazy. This week is going to be insane, it's a mix of pressure for the challenge and excitement.

"This is a huge step for my career and what I want to achieve," the 24-year-old driver went on. "The message from the Team has been to keep doing what you're doing and perform."

Tsunoda is aware of the uphill task at Red Bull Racing; he said: "I need to be as close to Max as possible to try and compete for the Constructors' title and benefit the Team strategically in every race.

"I am aware of the challenges the RB21 has and my job is to try to understand it and develop this car too. My first challenge is to get to grips with this car, 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," Tsunoda concluded.

Verstappen, on the other hand, heads to Suzuka with memories of previous successes. However, this year might prove to be more challenging for the Dutchman, given the shortcomings of his RB21.

Previewing the weekend at Suzuka, the four-time F1 champion said: "Suzuka has always been a special circuit to race at with a lot of history for us, especially winning the Constructors' Championship in 2023 and my second Drivers' Championship here too.

"Of course, it is Yuki's first race with the Team in front of his home crowd so it will be a busy race to welcome him to the Team," he added, commenting on his new teammate's arrival.

Performance-wise, Verstappen is hoping the flashes of speed his RB21 showed during the Chinese Grand Prix might signal a positive upturn.

He commented: "Looking back to China, on the second stint the performance was a lot more promising, and we were seeing a lot more pace in the car. The Team has been working hard to optimise our performance and I have been back at the factory on the sim this week too.

"I always enjoy racing at this track: it has a lot of high speed corners and one we typically race well at, so hopefully we can bring out the best of the car and improve here this weekend," Verstappen concluded.

Verstappen heads into the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix weekend, the third race this season, trailing McLaren's Lando Norris by eight points in the F1 drivers' championship.