Daniel Ricciardo believes that his RB Formula 1 teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, possesses all the qualities needed to succeed at the highest level. Ricciardo commended Tsunoda’s growth over the past few seasons. Noting that the Japanese driver has matured significantly since his rookie year.
Despite showing promising results in his fourth F1 season, Red Bull has not considered Tsunoda for a top spot. As the team has explored options like Liam Lawson and Ricciardo himself to replace Sergio Perez. Nonetheless, Ricciardo feels that Tsunoda’s recent performances have earned him recognition and respect.
In an exclusive interview with Autosport, Ricciardo shared his views on Tsunoda’s progress. “I think now he’s definitely receiving the credit he deserves,” Ricciardo said. “People still remember his first year, which marked a series of mistakes and a struggle to adjust.”
Ricciardo pointed out that while Tsunoda initially struggled against his teammate Pierre Gasly, the latter part of the 2022 season saw Tsunoda’s performance improve. “He’s definitely showing more maturity and consistency now,” Ricciardo noted.
Discussing Tsunoda’s future potential, Ricciardo compared his situation to that of Lando Norris, who struggled in his early years before demonstrating his capabilities. “Experience and composure make a difference when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities,” Ricciardo explained. “Yuki needs to prove himself when he gets the chance, but I believe he has the ability to succeed.”
Former teammate Pierre Gasly also offered support for Tsunoda, acknowledging the frustration of being overlooked by Red Bull. “Yuki is very fast and has been proving it,” Gasly said. “I’ve advised him to keep performing well and stay competitive. If he continues on this path, he’ll eventually get the right opportunity.”
Gasly added, “It’s frustrating not to see him get a chance at Red Bull, but all he can do is keep delivering strong performances and wait for the right spot to open up.”
With Tsunoda’s growing maturity and consistent performance, both Ricciardo and Gasly remain optimistic about his potential to make a significant impact in Formula 1.
