Tsunoda: If Red Bull choose Lawson, that would be weird

The rumors have been ramping up recently regarding the future of Perez at Red Bull, as he continues to struggle, while the team have tested Lawson in their 2024 Formula 1 car, the RB20, at Silverstone days after the Mexican finished 17th and one lap down in the 2024 British Grand Prix.

Red Bull have not bothered to deny that fact that Perez's future is far from secure despite having a contract extension with an expectation that a decision may be taken over the F1 summer break, if not earlier...

But Tsunoda believes he has done enough to be given the chance to drive for Red Bull now on his fourth season with their junior team VCARB (AlphaTauri previously).

Facing the media, including GrandPrix247, at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Thursday, the Japanese driver was asked how he would feel if Red Bull passed him and catapulted Lawson to become Verstappen's teammate.

Tsunoda responded: "If they choose Liam [Lawson], that would be weird. I mean, for me at least. But I don't think so. Liam did really s good job when he drove in the sim but I think I did more than that. So we'll see how it goes. Again, Red Bull know how to manage the drivers.

"I'm feeling ready, compared to the last three years," he added when asked if he is ready to become a Red Bull driver.

"I am ready to fight against the top teams and for higher positions, even with Max [Verstappen] or whatever. In the end they [Red Bull Racing] are the ones who are going to decide, and it's not a thing I can control.

"I'm just focusing on what I have to do the next two races. Haas is getting very close, so I have to still focus on a lot of things with our team. Let's see how it goes. But just same as the previous races, just focusing on what I have to do with my performance," he explained.

Tsunoda admitted the discussion with Red Bull boss Christian Horner and their motorsport consultant Dr. Helmut Marko was "not a clear one".

"Well you know, casual chatting like in the hospitality," he described the talks. "It all happens like that, I guess they're not really rushing it.

"If Sergio [Perez] performed very well and if the driver is performing well, they don't have reason to change drivers. In the end, all they're doing is I think it's always a good thing for Sergio, because they didn't want to create any pressure and that's definitely fair and also myself.

"In the end Red Bull want me to drive and focus on what I'm doing right now so we didn't have like a serious conversation yet," Tsunoda maintained.

However, the VCARB driver conceded that he should do his best in the upcoming two F1 races, before the summer break in case the reports about Perez's future turn out to be true, to ensure he is in the best position to bag that Red Bull drive.

"If the rumors are true, yes," he said when asked how crucial his coming two races are for his future, "but to be honest, I don't know the exact situation.

"I am probably same than you [Media]. I probably even have less information than you guys. Every race is very important for me. The contract is not really fixed. Business as usual to be honest.

"I don't feel so far much extra pressure," he went on. "Those things will probably naturally come with the different situations, but so far there has been a lot more worse pressures than now. Probably now is good pressure rather than bad pressure compared to the last few years, not knowing what you're going to do next year is worse.

"In the end, like I said, my focus is on the current Visa Cash App team and see how it goes," Tsunoda concluded.