Ex-F1 driver Anthony Davidson doesn’t perceive why Yuki Tsunoda is “missed” by Crimson Bull “each single time”.
Tsunoda is about to stay with VCARB for the 2025 F1 season after a powerful yr with the crew.
The Japanese driver has had a transparent edge over Daniel Ricciardo, who has been changed by Liam Lawson for the subsequent spherical on the Circuit of the Americas.
Regardless of being Crimson Bull’s strongest driver – behind Max Verstappen in 2024 – Tsunoda hasn’t been within the operating to exchange Sergio Perez.
Ricciardo was considered the front-runner to exchange Perez forward of the summer season break, however now, if Lawson stars throughout his six-race stint, the Kiwi might be within the body over Tsunoda.
Talking on the most recent episode of the Sky Sports activities F1 podcast, Davidson believes Tsunoda is now the “completed article” and questioned why he’s not been given an opportunity alongside Verstappen.
“They’re in search of that magic,” Davidson stated. “Possibly, Daniel as soon as upon a time would have been in a position to ship that. Maybe, he would have been forward of Yuki, firmly forward however I believe Yuki has upped his recreation since his arrival in System 1.
“It’s fairly regular you see drivers arrive, they overdrive the automobile, crash they usually spin. You’re ready for it to all settle down a bit after which they do, however then they’re sluggish as a result of they’ve misplaced their rhythm. Yuki has been by means of that journey and he’s not that driver anymore that some might imagine again to.
“He’s fairly polished, he’s the completed article now. Poor previous Yuki continues to be getting tarred with that very same brush. I’m not positive it’s not that straightforward anymore for anybody to try this in opposition to Tsunoda. How does he really feel about all this? He’s been missed each single time.
“These drivers are available – Lawson or Ricciardo comes again as an older skilled driver. Nyck de Vries has a go in opposition to him as effectively – and he retains beating them, each single time. It may well’t simply be a coincidence.”
Davidson is assured Tsunoda has the psychological resilience to go up in opposition to Verstappen if he’s given the chance.
“Poor previous Yuki is being missed right here,” he added. “Why isn’t he given the possibility? Why aren’t we listening to about Yuki’s probability to exchange Perez?
“Would he do a greater job? He’s a feisty driver. I can’t think about he’d be mentally destroyed by Max. He’s a resilient character. I believe that’s what Ricciardo was up in opposition to and with out anybody actually highlighting this.”
