Tsunoda's superiority: former Red Bull boss defends driver choice

Dominika Jordan
Apr 4, 2025, 10:06 PM ET

Tost backs Red Bull’s decision to replace Lawson with Tsunoda, citing his speed and experience for Suzuka.

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

In a rather candid assessment, former Red Bull junior team boss Franz Tost has expressed strong opinions regarding the driver selection at Red Bull Racing. Tost, who previously helmed the team during its days as Toro Rosso and later AlphaTauri, unequivocally supports the decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda.

Tsunoda's promotion came after just two races of the current season, despite Red Bull having initially favored Lawson. This decision came in light of Tsunoda's extensive experience with the team, spanning four seasons, compared to Lawson’s 11 races.

Tost's unwavering support for Tsunoda

Serving as a pundit for ORF, Tost made his stance clear regarding Red Bull's initial decision. "I would have gone with Yuki Tsunoda from the start," Tost emphasized. "I said that already - I made it clear last autumn. Why? Yuki is much faster than Lawson. You could give Lawson 100 years, and he still wouldn't be as fast as Yuki. And Yuki is more experienced, so what's the issue? It's a very simple decision."

Tost went on to affirm his faith in Tsunoda's capabilities, citing his "incredible natural speed" as a decisive factor. He acknowledged Tsunoda’s emotional nature in the car, suggesting it might have been a reason for the initial preference for Lawson. Nevertheless, Tost is confident in Tsunoda's potential if he can harness his raw pace and channel it into consistent performances.

Homecoming at Suzuka

Yuki Tsunoda's debut for Red Bull takes on added significance as he races in front of a home crowd at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. Tost believes this season could be pivotal for Tsunoda if he delivers consistently and manages his emotions effectively, stating, "It's going to be a very, very good season for Yuki Tsunoda."

The Japanese Grand Prix will undoubtedly serve as a crucial litmus test, both for Tsunoda’s abilities and Red Bull’s strategic decision, amid the ever-demanding world of Formula 1 racing.