In a tantalizing post-season treat for Formula One fans, Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has confirmed that rising star Yuki Tsunoda will get a chance to test drive the team’s championship-winning RB20 car in Abu Dhabi. The move comes at the request of Red Bull’s engine partners Honda, who are eager to see their young protégé get a taste of the team’s cutting-edge machinery before their impending departure from the sport.
Honda’s Parting Gift
With Honda set to bid farewell to Red Bull at the end of 2024, having powered Max Verstappen to his historic triple crown, the Japanese manufacturer was keen to secure a memorable send-off for one of their brightest prospects. Tsunoda, who currently races for Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri, has long been earmarked as a future star, and this test could provide a glimpse into his ultimate potential.
Yuki is a member of the junior team, and it’s something that we have discussed with Honda. It will again be good to give him a run, and get the opportunity to work with Red Bull Racing engineers and see how he performs in a Red Bull Racing car.
– Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
A Rare Opportunity
For Tsunoda, the chance to drive the RB20 represents a golden opportunity to showcase his skills in front of the Red Bull hierarchy. With his only previous experience of a Red Bull car coming in a demonstration run at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the young Japanese driver will be keen to make a lasting impression in the more representative environment of an official test session.
Future Implications
While AlphaTauri is expected to retain Tsunoda alongside rising Kiwi star Liam Lawson for 2025, the Japanese driver’s test outing has inevitably sparked speculation about his long-term future. With Sergio Perez struggling to match the relentless pace of teammate Max Verstappen this season, some have suggested that Tsunoda could emerge as a potential candidate for a Red Bull seat further down the line.
For now, however, the focus will be on maximizing the learning opportunities presented by the Abu Dhabi test. As Red Bull Racing and Honda prepare to go their separate ways, Tsunoda’s outing will serve as a poignant reminder of the strong ties that have bound the two organizations together in recent years – and a tantalizing hint at what the future may hold for one of Japan’s most exciting motorsport talents.
A Stepping Stone to Stardom?
In the pressure-cooker environment of Formula One, test sessions can often provide a valuable window into a driver’s true potential. For Tsunoda, the Abu Dhabi outing represents a chance to not only demonstrate his raw speed, but also his technical acumen, feedback skills, and ability to work effectively with a new group of engineers.
Should he impress, the young Japanese star could find himself firmly in the frame for future opportunities within the Red Bull driver stable. With the team’s junior program having a proven track record of promoting talent from within, a strong showing in the RB20 could be just the springboard Tsunoda needs to propel himself into contention for one of the most coveted seats in Formula One.
A Fitting Finale
As the sun sets on another thrilling Formula One season, Yuki Tsunoda’s test outing in the Red Bull RB20 promises to provide a fascinating subplot to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. With the eyes of the motorsport world watching closely, the young Japanese driver has a golden opportunity to make his mark and set tongues wagging about his future prospects.
For Red Bull and Honda, meanwhile, Tsunoda’s run will serve as a fitting finale to one of modern Formula One’s most successful partnerships. As the two organizations prepare to go their separate ways, the sight of a Honda-backed driver at the wheel of a Red Bull car will be a poignant reminder of the many triumphs they have shared together – and a tantalizing glimpse of the bright future that may yet lie ahead for both parties.
