Yuki Tsunoda says Liam Lawson’s arrival at RB rather than Daniel Ricciardo will add “a bit extra spice” to the intra-team battle, as each look to impress Crimson Bull for a future Method 1 drive.
Lawson was announced as Ricciardo’s replacement following the Singapore Grand Prix for the remainder of the season, though had been linked over the summer season to Sergio Perez‘s Crimson Bull seat earlier than the first group publicly backed the Mexican driver.
The solutions that Lawson would leapfrog Tsunoda within the Crimson Bull pecking order got here when the Kiwi was given time within the 2024 RB20, because the group thought of life after Perez earlier this yr.
Tsunoda had previously suggested that it would be “weird” if Lawson got the nod at Crimson Bull forward of him, and now reckons that his return to RB – having raced as Ricciardo’s substitute at AlphaTauri final yr – will elevate the stakes between them.
The Japanese driver says that his precedence is to beat Lawson, however crucially make sure the group secures sixth within the championship.
“I am positive it’ll improve the form of mentality of making an attempt to not get overwhelmed, however I suppose that is pure,” Tsunoda mentioned.
“Possibly barely a bit extra spice on high of it than ordinary, however I feel it was much like final yr as effectively. I do know that these issues are simply floating round anyway.
Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Money App RB F1 Group
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“However at the least on my facet, I simply focus what I’ve to do and clearly Liam will do job as effectively.
“I will be certain I will be forward of him, and hopefully we are able to obtain P6 within the group championship. That is the principle targets.”
Tsunoda added that though Lawson will intensify the team-mate battle at RB, he already felt that he was in a shootout with Ricciardo to impress given the tentative way forward for Perez at Crimson Bull.
He reiterated that one of the best ways to place himself within the store window was to finish the job of securing sixth within the constructors’ standings, and that alternatives would naturally current themselves afterwards.
“I assumed it is form of like this example already with Daniel,” Tsunoda added. “These type of issues, it is at all times floating round anyway. To be trustworthy, I obtained used to it and there isn’t any level to speak about it.
“I simply should maintain proving myself in consequence and the way I work all through the race weekends; maintain specializing in what I’ve to do and people alternatives, it is as much as them and we’ll see the way it goes.
Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing RB20, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Group VCARB 01
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“It’s a must to be forward on a regular basis and that might be what is dependent upon the subsequent yr’s contract and the whole lot.
“However it’s at all times for me, it is a part of the entire season and we constructed already till this level, together with Daniel, that P6 proper now within the groups’ championship.
“If we weren’t capable of obtain these issues, I might get very pissed off on the finish of the season.”