After the bitter blow of losing what was probably his last chance of a Red Bull Formula 1 seat, Yuki Tsunoda could have been forgiven for letting his chin drop and losing a bit of motivation.
Having been well aware of the open opportunity to race alongside Max Verstappen in 2025, and impressed Red Bull with his technical feedback at the post-season Abu Dhabi test, the Japanese was understandably gutted that he still lost out to Liam Lawson.
But rather than take the news badly and dwell on his misery over the winter, Tsunoda has instead taken the glass half full approach - according to his team boss Laurent Mekies.
According to Mekies, Tsunoda has returned to F1 with a completely different mindset - one of embracing the opportunity of being a team leader at Racing Bulls rather than being crushed by not being at Red Bull.
Speaking exclusively to The Race, Mekies said: “He [Tsunoda] has impressed me in how- he was obviously disappointed when the news came last year, and rightly so. But he came back in January with a clear mind, and with his motivation high.
"He is at peace with what happened. And he's here to make another step.”
Losing out on the Red Bull seat has left Tsunoda’s career at a crossroads. This is especially true with those who have backed him so far – Honda and Red Bull itself – admitting the time has probably come for him to do his own thing.
Speaking last year, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: “We're acutely aware that if we're not able to provide an opportunity for Yuki – being, in all honesty, this year [2025] - does it make sense [to keep him]?
“You can't have a driver in the support team for five years. You can't always be the bridesmaid. You've either got to let them go at that point or look at something different.”
But while being cut loose will change Tsunoda's long-term career trajectory, in the immediate future the focus is on making the most of what he has got right now.
He has brought in a new manager, former driver Diego Menchaca (pictured below in GP3 in 2018), and Racing Bulls itself has made it clear that it is ready to do all it can to give Tsunoda everything he needs to thrive.
Mekies added: “That's a commitment we took all together, to say we are going to put around him an environment so that there will be another step in Yuki in 2025.
“We told him it is going to put him at an extremely serious level that nobody can ignore. And that's the challenge he is taking.”
Mekies says that the attitude that Tsunoda has shown at the factory, as well as how he operated at the test, has pointed to an improved mindset – even though there is an acceptance the team needs to improve its car if it is to fight at the front of the midfield.
“After the first running, we've seen a Yuki that drove very well during the three days, and gave us key technical feedback,” added Mekies.
“Yuki is our leader. He has the experience and I think he's making another step this winter in terms of technical feedback, really
“Straight after the test, he really gave us very, very sharp and precise technical feedback. And I think he's taking on that leadership role well, and pulling the team forward.”
The onus will also be on Tsunoda to deliver from the off, with Racing Bulls accepting that rookie Isack Hadjar is going to take a bit of time to get up to speed.
Mekies added: “Yuki has been very open with Isack. They're already getting along quite well.
“It's very easy to start on the wrong foot, but they started on the right foot, and I think it's very good for Isack.
"In these opening races, he's going to learn a lot from Yuki and I'm sure they will be pushing each other.”
