Red Bull boss Christian Horner has confirmed Yuki Tsunoda will drive for the team in anger for the first time in the Formula 1 post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
Despite asking multiple times and being a part of the Red Bull Junior Programme, Tsunoda has yet to compete in a proper test of any kind for the reigning champions.
With pressure mounting on Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson entering the fight for the second Red Bull seat in 2025, both Tsunoda and his consistent backer Honda have called for the Japanese driver to get an opportunity to stake his claim.
Horner revealed during Friday’s press conference at the Mexico City Grand Prix that at long last, Tsunoda will get a proper chance in a Red Bull F1 machine in December.
“Well Yuki obviously is a member of the junior team, it’s something that we have discussed with Honda,” Horner explained.
“We gave Yuki a run up the hill at Goodwood earlier in the year, that was unexpected, he was the first driver to drive a current Formula 1 car in an open-face helmet and goggles.
“He will test the car again at [Abu Dhabi], following the conclusion of the season, something that has been agreed for quite some time.
“It will be good to give him a run, and give him the opportunity to work with Red Bull Racing engineers, and see how he performs in a Red Bull Racing car.”
Tsunoda in a three-way fight for 2025 Red Bull drive
Tsunoda has been in Red Bull’s Faenza-based sister team for all four seasons of his F1 career.
However, despite having the measure of his team-mates over the past year and a half, Tsunoda is often overlooked when the conversation turns to the seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
With Perez’s form continuing to falter, the Mexican is in a three-way fight with Lawson and Tsunoda for a Red Bull drive in 2025.
Horner revealed that with Lawson and Tsunoda being “on-loan” at RB, Red Bull has options to play with at the end of the 2024 campaign.
“Checo [Perez] has a contract for next year, so he’s currently our driver for 2025,” Horner said.
“Obviously there is a seat available in RB, but they are Red Bull Racing drivers that are on loan, so we have the benefit of time to sit down with Laurent [Mekies] and Peter [Bayer] and look at all the options.”
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