Former team boss Trevor Carlin believes that if Red Bull is considering replacing Sergio Perez next season, they should give the opportunity to Yuki Tsunoda instead of Daniel Ricciardo. Tsunoda, currently racing for AlphaTauri, previously competed for Carlin in Formula 2, impressing with his performance and character.
Carlin spoke highly of Tsunoda, stating that the Japanese driver is committed, talented, and brings a unique character to the team. He praised Tsunoda’s ability to extract everything out of the car, despite some rookie mistakes in his first year in Formula 2. Carlin believed Tsunoda had the potential to win the championship if not for those errors.
Carlin acknowledged the challenges Tsunoda faced in transitioning from Formula 2 to Formula 1, particularly due to cultural differences and language barriers. He commended Tsunoda for adapting to a different culture, environment, and language, which can be a significant challenge for Japanese drivers.
While Tsunoda’s recent lack of results coincided with AlphaTauri’s decline in pace, Carlin still believed in Tsunoda’s abilities. He suggested that Tsunoda would relish the opportunity to be Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, showcasing his commitment and entertaining style of racing.
Regarding Daniel Ricciardo, Carlin questioned whether the Australian driver, who chose to take a break from racing this year after losing his McLaren seat, still possesses the necessary commitment to compete at the highest level in Formula 1.
Carlin’s endorsement of Tsunoda as a potential Red Bull driver highlights the belief in the Japanese driver’s talent and potential. However, it remains to be seen what decisions Red Bull will make regarding their driver lineup for the upcoming seasons.
