Pierre Gasly backs Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull success: “He’s got the speed”

Pierre Gasly has backed his former team-mate Yuki Tsunoda as he takes the seat alongside four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

Red Bull decided last week to move Liam Lawson to Racing Bulls and promote Tsunoda ahead of his home race in Suzuka. This came after just two Grands Prix of the 2025 season. 

Gasly had a similar experience with Red Bull back in 2019. After driving for sister team in 2017 and 2018, the Milton Keynes squad promoted the French driver to Red Bull for the 2019 F1 season. However, after 12 races, he was demoted back down to what was then known as Toro Rosso.

Speaking in the drivers’ press conference ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, Gasly addressed the recent driver swap but insisted that it was hard to comment as an outsider to the situation.

“Yeah, I wish Liam all the best. I can obviously relate to some things and I wish Yuki all the best. I think it’s very difficult to judge anything from the outside.

“I think only Liam can know his situation and know all the details from it, and just got to respect that we’re trying our best with the tools we have and I’ve got no doubts that both of them are gonna do really well, but yeah it’s not really for me because you never really know what’s going on.”

When asked by Motorsport.com if he had spoken to Tsunoda about his new move, the Alpine driver responded:

“Yeah, we spoke on the phone. Obviously, the way that I was also given this opportunity 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. We can look back in 2021, all these years, I’ve always said he was an extremely fast driver.

“He’s got the speed, I think he’s got a strong character. Does it 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. 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.

“In Formula 1 right now 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 definitely hopeful he can make the best out of this opportunity.”

Tsunoda also revealed that he has not only received support from Gasly, but from Sergio Perez as well. He explained:

“I got a message from Pierre that he wanted to call me about the experience he had in Red Bull, the things that he should have done in Red Bull, and he just wanted to share a couple of ideas that could work for the coming races in Red Bull.

“So it was very nice of him, and it was very useful tips. Also, I got one from Checo as well. All the Red Bull family drivers, very supportive message, and those two are very supportive to me, so I really appreciate it, and one of the drivers I really respect most of all.”