Yuki Tsunoda recently shared that he received a supportive message from Christian Horner following the unexpected departure of the Red Bull team principal. After the British Grand Prix, Red Bull announced they had parted ways with Horner, who had been instrumental in the team’s Formula 1 success since 2005.
Despite Tsunoda’s struggles on track since being promoted alongside Max Verstappen, he expressed appreciation for Horner’s ongoing encouragement. Just before the Belgian Grand Prix, Tsunoda revealed that Horner reached out to him following his sudden exit, stating, “I’m grateful for Christian’s support in previous races and received a message from him recently.”
Laurent Mekies has stepped in as the new team principal for Red Bull starting the 2024 season, and he has previously worked with Tsunoda. The Japanese driver spoke positively about their existing trust and his readiness to collaborate closely with Mekies and Alan, adding, “I’m excited to see how he performs as a team principal.”
Tsunoda also reflected on his current challenging season with Red Bull, having scored only four points so far. He believes that because of his prior relationship with Mekies, the transition will be smooth. “He joined mid-season, and dynamics have not changed much yet. I feel like I don’t need to build a new relationship from scratch, so it feels good,” Tsunoda said.
Additionally, Tsunoda confirmed he would not be using the same upgrade package as Verstappen this weekend, noting that while the team is working hard on developments, the competition is extremely tight on the grid. “Some details matter a lot now, and I’ll continue to give my best,” he concluded.
Fan Take: This development highlights the importance of strong leadership and team dynamics in Formula 1, especially when a key figure like Horner departs. For fans, the arrival of Mekies and Tsunoda’s adaptability could signal exciting changes at Red Bull, potentially shifting the competitive landscape in future races.
