Yuki Tsunoda must take inspiration from four F1 legends who starred on debut at their home races ahead of Red Bull promotion

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Yuki Tsunoda could be able to step into what’s been described as the ‘hardest seat in motorsport’ just in time for his home race.

That’s how Red Bull team principal Christian Horner described being Max Verstappen’s teammate last season after Sergio Perez was let go following four seasons with the team.

Liam Lawson was the driver chosen to replace the Mexican, but his promotion has turned out to be a disaster for all parties involved.

Verstappen has been left frustrated by Red Bull’s latest offering, and while he can drive around the RB21’s issues, Lawson has been unable to demonstrate that same aptitude.

Yuki Tsunoda looks set to replace Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix after a storming start to the season with Racing Bulls.

Given how close Lawson and Tsunoda were at the end of last season, the 24-year-old might have his work cut out based on the New Zealander’s struggles in Australia and China.

Tsunoda will hope to take inspiration from four drivers who impressed when they made their debuts at their home races in Formula 1.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Mark Webber (Minardi) – 2002 Australian Grand Prix

The 2002 Australian Grand Prix saw four drivers make their F1 debuts, but Mark Webber was the man everyone in the crowd at Albert Park was cheering for.

Racing for the unfancied Minardi team after replacing Fernando Alonso, he qualified P18, more than a second ahead of teammate Alex Yoong.

Only eight drivers managed to finish the race, but Webber finished ahead of Yoong, Pedro De La Rosa and Mika Salo to score the only two points Minardi would achieve that year by coming home in P5.

Webber was invited to celebrate on the podium with team owner Paul Stoddard in front of his home crowd after his miraculous result.

Jean Alesi (Tyrrell) – 1989 French Grand Prix

There was a lot of excitement surrounding Jean Alesi when he made his debut for Tyrrell at Paul Ricard for Tyrrell.

He combined his first season in F1 with winning the International Formula 3000 championship for Eddie Jordan’s team and immediately turned heads by qualifying 16th, ahead of the likes of Nelson Piquet.

Alesi went one better than Webber in Australia and finished fourth on his debut, nearly two laps ahead of teammate Jonathan Palmer.

It’s no wonder Michael Schumacher begged Alesi not to retire 12 years later in 2001.

READ MORE: Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents

Carlos Reutemann (Brabham) – 1972 Argentine Grand Prix

Carlos Reutemann is widely considered to be one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history to never win a world championship.

He finished second to Ronnie Peterson in European Formula Two in 1971, earning him a seat at Brabham the following season, where his debut would come at his home circuit in Buenos Aires.

Reutemann can count himself among the six drivers who have scored a pole position on their F1 debuts, beating Jackie Stewart’s time by a quarter of a second.

Tsunoda has a chance to also secure a pole position on his debut with Red Bull given the car’s inherent pace, although beating Verstappen and the two McLarens would be a head-turning feat.

Unfortunately, Reutemann ended the race two laps behind the eventual winner, Stewart, missing out on points with a P7 finish.

Mario Andretti (Lotus) – 1968 United States Grand Prix

Mario Andretti is another driver like Reutemann who set a pole position on his first-ever F1 start, racing for Lotus at Watkins Glen.

Andretti was still competing in Champ Car that year, meaning his outing at the United States Grand Prix was a one-off, but he still managed to pip Stewart and Graham Hill to pole despite it being his first visit to the track.

Unfortunately, Andretti’s race lasted just 32 of the 108 scheduled laps after a clutch issue, but he proved that a lack of experience in a car isn’t a barrier to success in front of his home fans.