Tsunoda left 'surprised': Helmut Marko yet to call the driver since his promotion

Top advisor Helmut Marko is 'surprisingly' yet to call Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver revealed in Suzuka after his promotion to Red Bull Racing.

Yuki Tsunoda does not only have his home Grand Prix this weekend, but also his debut with Red Bull Racing, after it was announced that he will replace Liam Lawson just after two rounds into the 2025 season.

During the press conference, the driver who now wears a Red Bull Racing team kit was logically asked about his promotion. He did share tips he received from his former teammate Pierre Gasly and Sergio Perez.

On the other hand, he did not share much about his phone call with team principal Christian Horner, and an important person did not call him at all: top advisor Helmut Marko.

Tsunoda finds not having a call 'unsual'

"Surprisingly, he didn't call me yet. So, like, very unusual. So not sure he was busy with other things, but I can't wait to see him, how he's going to react to me. It's been unusual, from F3 to F1, he's always been calling me, but this time he didn't," the driver began.

While that was surprising for Tsunoda, the driver added that he will see the Austrian this weekend. "So I'm sure there's not anything from his side. Even last two races, so far we have still a good relationship. We didn't have any moments between us, obviously. So yes, let's see how he arrives to the track and [I will] see [him] in person."

Not calling a driver who has been within the Red Bull family for many years after a big announcement is certainly stands out. Earlier, GPblog could also report that the Austrian was not present at an important Red Bull Racing meeting in Milton Keynes. While Marko doesn't have a role that concerns the car's engineering and design, some present were surprised he did not attend.

This article was written in collaboration with Tim Kraaij

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