Former Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost has sensationally claimed that Red Bull Racing “ignored” his strong recommendation to promote Yuki Tsunoda to the senior team when a temporary driver replacement was needed, branding their eventual decision to field Liam Lawson instead as a “wrong decision.”
In a candid interview with German motorsport outlet Sport1, the outspoken Austrian, who oversaw Tsunoda’s early Formula 1 career at Red Bull’s sister team, revealed that he explicitly advised the energy drink giant to elevate the Japanese driver. This revelation sheds new light on the deliberations within Red Bull when Sergio Perez was temporarily sidelined earlier this season, ultimately leading to the highly-rated reserve driver Lawson getting the nod for two races.
“I said take Yuki Tsunoda,” Tost stated emphatically. “He has the experience, he’s fast, he can do it. How the decision turned out is well known,” he added, pointedly referencing Red Bull’s choice to place Lawson alongside Max Verstappen.
Tost’s comments suggest a clear divergence of opinion between the experienced former team boss and the decision-makers at Red Bull, presumably including team principal Christian Horner and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko. While Lawson impressed during his brief stint, securing points in the Singapore Grand Prix, Tost believes Red Bull overlooked a more established and ultimately faster talent in Tsunoda.
Adding further fuel to the fire, Tost expressed little surprise when Lawson was ultimately replaced by the returning Perez after just two races. He doubled down on his assessment of Red Bull’s initial choice, labeling the promotion of Lawson over Tsunoda a “wrong decision” because he firmly believes “Tsunoda is faster than Lawson and more experienced.”
Tost’s unwavering support for Tsunoda, a driver he nurtured through the Red Bull junior program, underscores the high regard in which he holds the Japanese racer’s potential. His assertion that Tsunoda possesses both greater speed and more relevant experience than Lawson will undoubtedly raise eyebrows within the F1 paddock and among fans.
The decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda was a talking point at the time, with many speculating on the reasoning behind Red Bull’s choice. While Lawson’s performances were commendable, Tost’s exclusive interview now provides a contrasting perspective, suggesting that a seasoned figure within the Red Bull system advocated strongly for a different path.
It remains to be seen what the long-term implications of Red Bull’s driver decisions will be. However, Franz Tost’s outspoken claims will undoubtedly add another layer of intrigue to the ongoing narrative surrounding the team’s driver management and the perceived potential of both Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson within the competitive Formula 1 landscape. His comments highlight the often-complex and sometimes conflicting opinions that exist behind the scenes in the high-stakes world of F1 team management.