At the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season, the pressure was mounting on Sergio Perez to retain his seat at Red Bull Racing.
After winning two of the first four races last year, the Mexican watched on as Max Verstappen went on a record-breaking winning streak to secure his third world championship.
Speaking on the Pelas Pistas Podcast, Nelson Piquet Jr. has been discussing the future of the team’s line-up.
Sergio Perez knows what he needs to do to retain his seat beyond 2024.
Three 2-place finishes in the first four races is a fantastic return and Damon Hill has backed him to add another podium to his collection in China.
He was described as ‘extraordinary’ by one senior member of the team this season, but until he signs on the dotted line, the pressure on him isn’t going to relent.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has admitted that Audi are trying to rush Red Bull into deciding on Perez’s future.
However, Piquet Jr. believes that Red Bull should be handing Sergio Perez’s seat to Yuki Tsunoda in 2025.
The Japanese driver has never even stood on the podium in Formula 1, let alone win a race.
The 23-year-old has been in fantastic form this season as he looks to extend his time in the paddock.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname
Nelson Piquet Jr. wants Red Bull to sign Yuki Tsunoda
Just as the pressure was on Sergio Perez at the start of 2024, Yuki Tsunoda was also feeling the heat.
Tsunoda is starting his fourth season with Red Bull’s sister team which is normally about the time that drivers either earn a promotion or are moved on.
The grid is littered with drivers who had a go at racing against Max Verstappen but couldn’t handle the pressure.
Sergio Perez has shown that he’s up to the task by securing Red Bull’s first one-two in the Drivers’ Championship in 2023 but was a long way off his teammate last year.
Piquet Jr. believes now is the time to give Tsunoda a chance at Red Bull as either he’ll prove he’s quick enough or open up another spot within the Red Bull group for their young drivers.
Out of both Visa Cash App RB stars, he looks in much better shape to challenge Verstappen compared to Daniel Ricciardo.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
Nelson Piquet Jr. and Christian Fittipaldi disagree over Max Verstappen 2025 teammate
Asked who should partner Max Verstappen next season at Red Bull, Piquet Jr. said: “I would choose to clear my doubt, I would put [Yuki] Tsunoda, just to clear the doubt.
“Is he really worse than [Sergio] Perez? Okay, then he will go back to Japan to do something there.
“He’s surviving in Formula 1 with weak teammates since [Pierre] Gasly left.
“If [Liam] Lawson had stayed since the time he joined the team in the Netherlands last year, I don’t know if it would be same thing [as fighting against Daniel Ricciardo].”
Co-host Christian Fittipaldi replied: “I think in the general context, Tsunoda, I don’t know if he can handle the pressure.”
Piquet Jr. responded: “Let’s put him in there to find out if he’s good or not, give him a year.
“He’s already four years into his career, it’s going to be his fifth season, let’s put him in [the] Red Bull.
“If he doesn’t do anything, fine, because then at least you can get the other Red Bull junior drivers who are in Formula 2 and other places to test.”
READ MORE: Visa Cash App RB driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents
Does Yuki Tsunoda have a chance of joining Red Bull in 2025?
While Piquet Jr. would love to see Tsunoda get his chance in Red Bull, he currently doesn’t look like a viable option for Christian Horner’s team.
Tsunoda isn’t under consideration for a Red Bull seat despite leading the bottom half of the field in 2024.
All the Japanese driver can do is continue to outperform Daniel Ricciardo every week.
With Honda heading to Aston Martin in 2026, that might end up being Tsunoda’s best chance of joining a top team in the future.
The post ‘Put him in there’: Nelson Piquet Jr. now wants F1 driver with 0 race wins to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull appeared first on F1 Oversteer.