'He’s an extremely fast driver’ – Gasly assesses whether former team mate Tsunoda can succeed in ‘complicated’ Red Bull opportunity

Pierre Gasly believes Yuki Tsunoda has all the ingredients to be a success with Red Bull – but warned that achieving this would be “complicated” for the Japanese driver.

Partnering four-time World Champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull has been widely dubbed ‘the toughest job in motorsport’, with the Dutchman comfortably outperforming Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, Gasly and, in the closing stages of his time with the team back in 2018, Daniel Ricciardo.

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Just two races into the new season, and Liam Lawson’s name has been added to the rollcall, with Yuki Tsunoda promoted ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix to replace the New Zealander at Red Bull.

Asked if he’d made contact with his former team mate since news of his promotion had broken, Gasly, who raced with Red Bull for 12 races in 2019, said: “Yeah, we spoke on the phone.

“Obviously, the way that I was also given this opportunity [to drive for Red Bull] and just in terms of what didn’t quite work out and things that could have been different... I think he’s got the experience, he’s got the speed. I’ve always backed him up.

“I’ve raced against him and with him for two years. I’ve seen his raw speed. I’ve seen what he was capable of doing already back at the time.

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“We can look back to 2021, all these years, I’ve always said he was an extremely fast driver. So he’s got the speed. I think he’s got a strong character.”

However, these terms are similar to those used by Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner back in December when talking about Liam Lawson, as he explained to the media why the New Zealander, above Tsunoda, was the ideal candidate to partner Verstappen for 2025.

Despite the words of praise for the Japanese, Gasly was cautious when issuing a verdict on Tsunoda’s chances alongside Verstappen.

He continued: “Does [his speed] mean he’s going to be successful in Red Bull Racing? No. Can he be successful in Red Bull Racing? Yes. But it’s slightly more complicated than that.

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“I just wish him the best. I’ve shared my thoughts and my experience from my time there.

“Time will tell, but I think he’s definitely a very strong driver. And in Formula 1 these days, you’ve got many strong drivers on the grid, so it’s not all down to your speed. There’s slightly more to it, but hopefully, he can make the best out of this opportunity.”