BREAKING:Helmut Marko Explains Delay in Contacting Yuki Tsunoda After Red Bull…read more
BREAKING:Helmut Marko Explains Delay in Contacting Yuki Tsunoda After Red Bull…read more
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, has clarified why he did not reach out to Yuki Tsunoda immediately after the Japanese driver’s promotion to the senior team. Tsunoda had previously expressed frustration, stating that Marko had not contacted him even a week after the announcement of his swap with Liam Lawson.
The decision to promote Tsunoda to the senior team came after the Chinese Grand Prix, where Red Bull decided to give him the opportunity in exchange for Lawson. However, Tsunoda’s comments in Japan raised questions about the lack of communication from Marko following the announcement.
Marko, speaking to ORF, explained the situation, stating that Tsunoda has three phone numbers, but two of them no longer worked. “It wasn’t intentional,” Marko added. He also mentioned that when Tsunoda arrived in Japan, the time-zone difference made it difficult to coordinate contact.
Marko also noted Tsunoda’s performance, highlighting that he was only two-tenths behind Max Verstappen during FP3, a promising result for the driver. “We haven’t seen that in a long time, and it’s certainly justified,” Marko remarked.
Tsunoda qualified 15th for the Suzuka race, just behind teammate Lawson, who was in 14th. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen grabbed a remarkable pole position for the team, with Isack Hadjar securing 7th.
Marko also mentioned that Lawson has made improvements, and that the young driver is “halfway there” in terms of regaining form.
