Japanese racing driver Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that while he can help Red Bull with strategies, he has been promised by Christian Horner that if in case he is ahead of Max Verstappen in a race, the team won’t ask him to swap positions to make the latter win.

Tsunoda was promoted to Red Bull following just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season after disappointing performances from Liam Lawson.

Tsunoda will begin his campaign at Red Bull at his home race in Suzuka on Sunday, April 6 and will look to start on a high.

“First, the first call I got was from Chris Horner. I did meet him in person. I was planning to go to Milton Keynes anyway for the RB simulator, so I heard expectations from him, what he was expecting from me and also what kind of team dynamics they are having,” Tsunoda said while speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

“Be as close as possible to Max [Verstappen], you know. Again, Red Bull Racing are focused on Max scoring a Drivers’ Championship. Maybe in some races, I can help with the strategy, but he also promised me in some situations that if I’m able to be in front of Max, they wouldn’t necessarily ask me to swap positions and make Max win,” Tsunoda added.

The Japanese driver will partner with Verstappen for the first time at the upcoming race in Suzuka.

Tsunoda steps up from sister team RB, with Lawson moving the other way to the team he drove for in 2024.

This year’s Grand Prix will also be Red Bull’s last in partnership with Japanese engine supplier Honda, with the team all set to race in a special commemorative red and white livery.

Red Bull axed Lawson last week after his disastrous start to his debut season with the team, which saw him not being able to score any points in the first two race weekends.

Tsunoda’s highest finish at a race was fourth in 2021 at Abu Dhabi for RB, then called AlphaTauri.