It’s no secret that Yuki Tsunoda didn’t wish to be driving for Racing Bulls this season, however he’s planning on remaining a workforce participant and assist his rookie team-mate if the going will get robust.
Isack Hadjar is considered one of six rookies on the grid, making ready for his Components 1 debut on the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. On the different finish of the dimensions, Tsunoda will enter his fifth yr with the Purple Bull junior outfit, which has undergone loads of identify modifications since he first took the wheel in 2021.
Having been eager to land a Purple Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen this yr, Tsuonda as an alternative stays at Racing Bulls and the Japanese now faces an unsure future.
With a newcomer alongside him, the tables have turned since his debut yr when he raced alongside Pierre Gasly for the then-Alpha Tauri squad, the Frenchman having been racing in F1 for the reason that Malaysian Grand Prix of 2017.
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Crew
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures
Requested if he could be able to assume the function of the elder statesmen inside the workforce, as Gasly had achieved beforehand, Tsuonda instructed Motorsport.com: “Sure, I’d say so undoubtedly. I imply, if he is in a state of affairs, I hope not, however he’s struggling or no matter, I am going to assist as a lot as potential if I can.
“In the long run, I feel we’re these high 20 drivers on this planet, in the long run, he is aware of additionally the best way to get well from any exhausting state of affairs.
“What I’ve achieved additionally within the first yr was, I imply, I did not actually essentially ask Pierre what I ought to do or no matter, I simply appeared as much as him and the way he is behaving within the workforce and the way he was making ready for the race and people issues.
“Naturally, you get it from the driving force so, let’s have a look at, Isack anyway, he’s quick and I’m certain it’s a completely different state of affairs to mine so let’s see.”
Having raced with each Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson at RB – because it was in 2024 –it was the latter who was chosen for promotion to Purple Bull on the expense of Tsunoda however, having identified the New Zealander for years as a part of the workforce’s junior program, it was not going to impression on their friendship.
“I would not say completely happy for him, that’s type of a lie, however he’s achieved undoubtedly what he ought to do and he did his finest,” added Tsunoda.
“He gave 100% performances, and I additionally gave 100% performances and in the long run it was as much as Purple Bull how they have been going to do it.
“It is not essentially an enormous feeling, it’s what it’s, and when it comes to friendship, I imply, we’re nonetheless buddies, for certain, and we nonetheless chat one another, and I like to speak with him. I feel our friendship by no means actually modified.”
Photographs from Australian GP – Thursday
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Mark Mann-Bryans
Components 1
Isack Hadjar
Yuki Tsunoda
Racing Bulls
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information electronic mail updates on these matters
Subscribe to information alerts
