Dec.12 (GMM) Two prime Honda officers are hoping Yuki Tsunoda is chosen to switch Pink Bull’s endangered Sergio Perez for 2025.
Most insiders and analysts agree that Pink Bull bosses Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko have determined to oust Perez.
At the moment underway, in line with a number of reviews, are difficult and costly negotiations to terminate or modify 34-year-old Perez’s 2025 contract.
2016 world champion Nico Rosberg mentioned in Abu Dhabi that he has heard the Mexican driver’s administration group is demanding a $16m termination price.
However former F1 engineer Kees van de Grint thinks it might truly value Pink Bull much more than that. “I believe the buyout sum is 75 million euros. They’ve to purchase out two years of his contract.”
Ought to Pink Bull discover a resolution, the recent favorite to switch him is Liam Lawson. In concept, the rather more skilled Tsunoda, 24, can be a extra logical selection, however Pink Bull is believed to have considerations about his character.
One other hurdle is Tsunoda’s shut ties with Pink Bull engine accomplice Honda, who’re switching to Aston Martin for 2026 and past.
Nonetheless, following some stress from the Japanese producer, Tsunoda was granted a take a look at within the 2024 Pink Bull Racing automobile this week. Marko confirmed that Pink Bull “will watch for the outcomes” earlier than saying the composition of the Pink Bull and Racing Bulls lineups for 2025.
“We had been in a position to realise his request to take part within the take a look at,” Honda Racing Company (HRC) president Koji Watanabe confirmed. “I’ve heard that he was very happy.”
Watanabe revealed that he spoke with group boss Christian Horner in regards to the matter in Abu Dhabi.
“On Saturday I had numerous discussions with Christian Horner in regards to the drivers for subsequent season and past,” he mentioned. “As I all the time say, the group has the correct to resolve on the motive force, so our opinion is merely for reference. However from the HRC facet, we consider that Tsunoda has the flexibility to be promoted to Pink Bull and needs to be one of many candidates.
“All we might do is present a possibility for him to indicate his skills to the world, which is why I requested that he take part on this take a look at, and we had been in a position to make it occur.
“I solely noticed him (Tsunoda) earlier than the take a look at, and he mentioned he needed an excellent consequence and to take pleasure in himself. Since then, all I’ve is a report from HRC on-site, the place he very clearly analysed the variations between the RB automobile and the Pink Bull automobile, and gave the group very helpful recommendation and feedback on that foundation.
“After that, I don’t know what is going to occur, so we’ll have to attend and see, but when it goes properly, that shall be nice. In any case, he’s already attributable to drive for RB subsequent season, so I count on him to carry out properly subsequent season regardless of which group he drives for.”
Additionally hoping Tsunoda is chosen to switch Perez is former F1 driver Takuma Sato, who’s now an govt advisor for Honda Racing Company.
“It’s as much as the group in fact,” mentioned the Japanese. “However Yuki mentioned that his driving type fits the Pink Bull automobile, with its sharp entrance finish, so I believe he had an excellent take a look at.
“Now, all we are able to do is pray.”
