New RB driver Isack Hadjar impressed Pink Bull by being faster than Yuki Tsunoda throughout post-season testing in Abu Dhabi (pictured), in keeping with staff principal Christian Horner.
Tsunoda was ignored for the Pink Bull seat when it was introduced this week, with Liam Lawson chosen to accomplice Max Verstappen following Sergio Perez’s departure. That transfer opened the door for Hadjar to step right into a race seat, and with each he and Tsunoda having pushed for Pink Bull in Abu Dhabi the staff had an opportunity to match the 2 drivers.
“Isack, he’s one other expertise — he jumped within the automotive, he was sooner than Yuki within the take a look at final week, which turned heads,” Horner mentioned. “He’s positively a uncooked expertise — he wants just a little little bit of sprucing, however he has the velocity.
“He was unlucky in Method 2 to overlook out [on the title] on the final race because of technical glitches with start-line software program, from what I perceive, however he’s impressed as nicely. Significantly along with his velocity. It is going to be fascinating to see how issues pan out.”
Horner mentioned he spoke with Tsunoda about not getting the Pink Bull drive, and that the Japanese driver is conscious alternatives may nonetheless come his manner regardless of going into what’s prone to be his final yr with RB.
“His motivation was to display that he warrants that chance,” Horner mentioned. “And the Racing Bulls staff will hopefully make a step ahead once more subsequent yr as they make the most of the rear suspension and the gearbox, and the elements that they’re allowed to make use of [from Red Bull].
“I feel as that staff and new administration matures, that staff will naturally take a step ahead. [Tsunoda]’s very decided; he is aware of that issues change in a short time. Who would’ve thought 9 months in the past we’d be sitting right here speaking about Liam Lawson being our driver for 2025? Issues change shortly on this business and he’s conscious of that and is aware of that he must be the one demonstrating that he’s the one knocking on the door.”
