"Yeah, 100%!" replies Yuki Tsunoda when asked if he would be ready to move up to Red Bull in time for his home grand prix.

As Liam Lawson seeks to establish himself at the big team, behind the scenes there is already speculation over who might replace him should the worst come to the worst.

Just a few weeks back Yuki Tsunoda appeared to be staring into the abyss, superfluous to RBs needs, never mind Red Bull, the Japanese river was already looking ahead to 2026 with apprehension.

However, while the experts of social media call for the return of Sergio Perez or Daniel Ricciardo, should Lawson not get it together in the coming races, some are calling for Tsunoda to be promoted feeling he was unfairly ignored last time around.

Speaking today, having finished sixth in the Sprint and qualified ninth for tomorrow's race, the popular Japanese driver was asked if he was ready for a move up to the 'big team'.

"Yeah, why not. Always," he grinned.

Asked if he was ready to move as early as next month's race at Suzuka, he said: In Japan? Yeah, 100%.

"I mean, the car is faster," he added, before being marched away by flustered members of RB's press corps.

Meanwhile, Helmut Marko was being put on the spot by Sky Sports. When asked about a possible driver reshuffle, he replied: "Formula 1 is a competitive sport and ultimately that's what counts.

Asked about Lawson's performance, he admitted: "This is not what we expected, but we will discuss it calmly."

"He's right," added the Austrian, when asked about the New Zealander's comments in terms of the clock already ticking. "It was disappointing, and we have to go through and analyse everything, and then we see.

"It's all depending on performance, and he didn't deliver," he added.

Pushed on what he saw as the alternative and whether Tsunoda fits the bill, he said: "The first race and the sprint race, was competitive. No mistakes.

"But even more impressive was Hadjar at his second race," he added. "He didn't know the circuit here and he's like seventh, so that's even more impressive. It shows that the junior program is working, and also that Racing Bulls made a car which is competitive and obviously easier to drive.

"Let's discuss when it when it happens," said the Austrian. "Yuki is driving for his future. That's what matters, and he's now doing very well."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by moomoo, 23 minutes ago

"@Chester. He has What!? Six seasons in F1 and all he has shown himself to be is another seat warmer for rent, rather like that Perez no hoper. I'd like to see him up there as #2 to Max, this season would see out his racing 'career' (such as it was)."

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2. Posted by ffracer, 23/03/2025 16:52

"They vilified Sergio Perez for the last few years before buying out his contract and Liam Lawson was in the media telling everyone that he could do a much better job. Pierre Gasly, Daniel Kvyat, Alex Albon and Daniel Riccardo couldn't cut it and I feel that they are more
talented... but it's too early to judge Liam Lawson. I always thought that the public stoning of Red Bull drivers is too much and only proves that social media is absolutely brutal and no testing doesn't help rookies let alone seasoned drivers trying to sort out a vicious racecar.

In the Doohan article, the example of my patron of ultimate Formula One drivers, the late great Gilles Villeneuve, tested on Fiorano or other GP tracks almost every day of the week (being facetious) and he became one of the greatest of all time for many.

Give Liam Lawson a chance to prove himself... and not two races. "

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3. Posted by Chester, 23/03/2025 12:32

"Tsunoda has certainly proven himself- but Lawson needs to be given a fair shot to improve. Red Bull may well have made the wrong choice teaming Lawson with Verstappen but to knee jerk swap the drivers right now seems foolish.

More data (races) will help clarify things. "

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4. Posted by kenji, 23/03/2025 0:28

"All rookies need a few, possibly five or six races to sample the various tracks and explore the cars unique characteristics before assessing their potential for an ongoing drive. The point here is that Lawson is not a rookie having already driven in approx 10/12 races! Testing times for the lad but I do feel as though Tsunoda needs to be given a run just to see how he performs. I don't know if there are any rules covering driver swaps in season but surely RB need to give it a try. It can't get any worse."

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"Why not?" says Tsunoda of Red Bull switch

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