Red Bull racing is being pressured into considering a dangerous decision for a replacement for Sergio Perez upon his contract's expiration.
Red Bull Racing is on top of the Formula One world in 2023, just like they have been for the last few years. With 321 points, eight wins, and 12 podiums, they lead the Constructors' Standings in each of those stats.
But in the not-too-distant future, there might be a mix-up to the team's driver lineup that could make or break the future of the team.
Max Verstappen is in for the long haul, having signed an extension to his deal that was initially set to expire in 2024 to lengthen his stay until 2028. The Red Bull family the only one he knows at the Formula One level, and a team he's dominated with. He's been vocal about his preference to be with Red Bull for his entire career.
Their second seat is less firm. Sergio Perez's contract is up in 2024, and he's been less dominant than Verstappen, yet good enough that he will probably gain lucrative offers from other teams who want to bring his capabilities to their car. He may have priced himself out of what Red Bull would like to pay for its second seat.
With that on the way, the team is being pressured to consider an option that might be too much of a risk.
Red Bull is being pressured into a dangerous decision for second F1 seat
Trevor Carlin, who played a major role in getting Yuki Tsunoda up to Formula One, has tossed Tsunoda's name out for the possible opening at Red Bull in the near future.
"Yuki is the kind of guy that would relish the opportunity and he'd be fully committed. God knows what would happen but he'd be entertaining, go flat out and he might surprise a few people. I'd love to see Yuki do it," Carlin said to Metro.
Tsunoda, who drives for the sister team AlphaTauri, would be an easy transfer over to Red Bull. The team has moved drivers between the two teams in the past, including Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon.
But Tsunoda has a long way to go before he should be considered for the seat if Red Bull plans to maintain its dominance. Tsunoda's youth has come with boom or bust potential, and his discretion is questionable at times, occasionally leading to crashes or poor execution of team strategy.
It is easy to see why some might try to justify his call-up to the more competitive team. His fiery attitude is reminiscent of Verstappen, and Tsunoda clearly wants to win. The question is whether or not his temper will translate into training that brings with it results, like it has for Verstappen.
There is a world in which Tsunoda could help Red Bull maintain its dominance, but there is also a scenario in which such a decision completely derails the run of dominance Red Bull has displayed over the last two and a half years.