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Horner Makes Red Bull U-Turn on Driver Lineup After Bold Comments
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has made a surprising reversal on his previous stance regarding driver selections for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite earlier dismissing Yuki Tsunoda’s chances of securing a promotion to the main Red Bull team, Horner has now acknowledged the Japanese driver as a potential future contender.
Red Bull’s Surprise Decision: Lawson to Partner Verstappen
In a shocking move, Red Bull has decided to pair reigning world champion Max Verstappen with young New Zealander Liam Lawson for the 2025 season. This decision comes despite Lawson’s limited Formula 1 experience compared to other candidates, particularly Tsunoda, who has been a key figure in Red Bull’s junior team.
Tsunoda has competed in F1 for multiple seasons, holding his own against teammates like Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo. His solid performances suggested he was a logical choice for a promotion to the main Red Bull team. However, the team opted for the less experienced Lawson, a decision that sparked speculation about Tsunoda’s long-term future with Red Bull.
Tsunoda’s Future in Doubt?
The decision to overlook Tsunoda raised questions about his place in the Red Bull family, particularly with Honda, Red Bull’s current engine supplier, set to switch allegiance to Aston Martin in 2026. Many believed that Tsunoda’s close ties with Honda could lead to a potential move away from the Red Bull setup.
Even Horner himself previously hinted at Tsunoda’s possible departure, stating that the Japanese driver “couldn’t always be the bridesmaid,†implying he might need to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Horner’s Unexpected U-Turn
Despite these earlier remarks, Horner has now changed his tone, indicating that Tsunoda remains in Red Bull’s plans. Speaking to the media, he acknowledged Tsunoda’s talent and potential.
“Our priorities are our race drivers,†Horner stated. “But Yuki is a very talented driver, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on him and Isack Hadjar as well.â€
This shift in stance suggests that Red Bull is not entirely ruling out Tsunoda for a future main team seat.
A Possible Reserve Role for Tsunoda in 2025?
While Red Bull has yet to officially confirm its reserve driver lineup for the 2025 season, reports suggest that Tsunoda could take on this role. If Lawson underperforms or leaves the team, Tsunoda may find himself in the perfect position to step up.
This sudden change in Red Bull’s approach leaves Tsunoda’s future uncertain but still within reach of a potential Red Bull Racing seat, keeping fans and analysts intrigued about what’s next for the talented Japanese driver.
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