Verstappen and Tsunoda on the same page: Little desire to talk about the RB21

09:20, 03 Apr

Updated: 10:45, 03 Apr

byKada Sarkozi

Max Verstappen also believes there not much need for him to spend time with Yuki Tsunoda, and talk him through his experience with the RB21. According to the Dutchman, it's better for him to learn himself.

Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, it was announced that only after two rounds, Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing. The Dutchman is now set to face his sixth teammate at the team, after competing against Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson in the past.

When Verstappen was asked whether Tsunoda is deserving of his promotion, he answered: " I think everyone that tries to make it in the sport is working for it every day. They deserve a shot, for sure," he began in Japan.

Similarly to Helmut Marko - who Tsunoda revealed at the press conference has not to called him -, the defending world champion also did not talk to the Japanese driver since the decision of the driver swap has been announced.

"No, I mean I've only seen Yuki yesterday (Wednesday) quickly and he's been busy at the factory. But at the end of the day it's not really up to me, also he has to find it out himself because my experience might not be his experience."

Discussions about the Austrians' car are therefore unlikely to happen. Tsunoda has also explained that he does not believe Verstappen will tell the truth about the RB21, and he also believes it is better that he learns about its qualities with his engineers so he can understand it quicker.

This article was written in collaboration with Tim Kraaij