Pink Bull is getting ready to make a driver change after simply two races of the brand new Formulation 1 season, with Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson swapping seats, RACER understands.
Lawson’s seat with Pink Bull was known as into query through the Chinese language Grand Prix weekend after he certified final for each the Dash and the primary race itself, and did not make vital progress in both occasion. As reported on Monday, Pink Bull then mentioned addressing the problem on the earliest potential alternative and has opted to make a right away change.
Whereas official affirmation has but to be supplied from the staff, RACER understands Tsunoda was within the Pink Bull simulator on Tuesday and that the staff plans to advertise him to associate Max Verstappen forward of his residence race at Suzuka subsequent weekend. Whereas feeling it must make a change shortly, Pink Bull is anticipated preserve Lawson on the grid with a return to Racing Bulls, the staff the New Zealander drove for on the finish of final season.
Tsunoda has made a robust case for a promotion together with his performances within the opening races. Sam Bagnall/Getty Photos
Hypothesis that Franco Colapinto may very well be within the combine for a Racing Bulls seat amid the motion is known to be broad of the mark. Nonetheless, the Argentine — who’s at present on mortgage to Alpine from Williams — is believed to be on the radar ought to additional choices must be explored later within the yr.
Tsunoda’s anticipated promotion comes after he reached Q3 in all three qualifying periods up to now this season, securing fifth on the grid in Australia after which ending sixth within the Dash in China. The 24-year-old has simply entered his fifth season in Formulation 1 with Pink Bull’s junior staff, having made 89 begins and brought a finest end of fourth in Abu Dhabi in his rookie season.
The choice to swap drivers after simply two races is the earliest Pink Bull has ever made such a transfer. It beforehand waited 4 races into the 2014 season earlier than it changed Daniil Kvyat with Verstappen, and Verstappen went on to win in his debut for Pink Bull on the Spanish Grand Prix.
