Red Bull juniors confirmed for New Zealand winter series

Red Bull junior drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson will both take part in the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand over the winter as part of their preparations for the 2020 season.

Tsunoda, 19, and Lawson, 17, both competed in FIA Formula 3 through 2019, and will continue their running in F3 machinery in the five-round series across New Zealand through January and February.

Lawson will aim to defend his Toyota Racing Series title from 2019 that he won as a rookie ahead of Ferrari junior Marcus Armstrong, leading to his signing by Red Bull to its junior books.

“I’m really excited to come back and do another season of TRS,” said Lawson. “To be coming back to race again in New Zealand is awesome. A lot has happened in the last 12 months, and a lot of it off the back of TRS last season.”

Lawson will be joined in the M2 Competition team by Honda-backed Tsunoda, who recently tested a Formula 2 car.

“I know that the competition will be tough, there are a lot of very good drivers and many of them know the circuits,” said Tsunoda.

“It will not be easy but I know that I must at least aim for consistent top three finishes through the series. I am looking for the Super Licence points that I need for F1.”

The reclassification of the Toyota Racing Series for 2020 means the champion will score 10 Super Licence points.

The 2020 Toyota Racing Series season begins at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell on January 17.