Yuki Tsunoda believes that refining the setup of the challenging 2025 Red Bull could address its issues, rather than its inherent design.
With Liam Lawson relegated to Racing Bulls, Tsunoda now faces the task of closing the gap to Max Verstappen in a car tailored to the four-time world champion's preferences.
Sergio Perez, Lawson's predecessor, also found the Verstappen-centric Red Bull difficult, but his father, Antonio Perez Garibay, alleged to Formula De 2: "The car with the number 1 was not the same as the car with the number 11."
Tsunoda, however, aligns with Verstappen's taste for sharp, oversteering machines. "When I drove the RB21 in the simulator, I did feel some of the difficulties that drivers often talk about," he said.
"But rather than feeling that the car was extremely difficult on the simulator, I felt that the setup was completely different. Considering the problems Liam faced, I expected it to be more difficult to drive."
Team advisor Dr Helmut Marko has indicated that Red Bull may explore less aggressive setups for the second car to improve drivability. "I tried a lot of different setups in the simulator for two days and I think I've been able to come up with one that I think will suit me to a certain extent," Tsunoda confirmed.
"Now I just have to try it out here at Suzuka."
Ex-F1 driver Ralf Schumacher argued he'd have declined the daunting role beside Verstappen, though Marko noted Tsunoda's contract left him little choice. "It wasn't something I'd even thought about," Tsunoda said, "but offers from top teams aren't that common so I replied right away and said 'I'll do it'."
Should Tsunoda stumble, both Marko and former Racing Bulls head Franz Tost have recently praised rookie Isack Hadjar's early 2025 form.
Marko dubbed the 20-year-old "the surprise of the season so far."
"If I get the call," French-Algerian Hadjar said at Suzuka on Thursday, "of course, I would say I'm ready. And maybe even if I'm not (ready), I'd still say I am," he laughed.
