Yuki Tsunoda has been told to get "as close as possible" to reigning world champion Max Verstappen by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

The Japanese will partner the Dutchman at his home Grand Prix in Suzuka this weekend, having replaced Liam Lawson after just two races of the 2025 season.

The New Zealander had only been promoted ahead of the campaign, but returned to Racing Bulls after disappointing performances at the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.

Verstappen sits second in the drivers' championship, eight points behind leader Lando Norris, and Tsunoda has been tasked with aiding his bid for a fifth successive world title, as well as Red Bull's constructors' championship challenge.

"In the end, Red Bull Racing are focused on Max scoring a drivers' championship," Tsunoda told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He has proven himself to have good potential to be a world champion - even though Red Bull seems to be struggling a little now. Performance-wise, [Horner] wants me to be as close to Max as possible.

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"In some races, I can help with the strategy, but he also promised me in some situations that if I'm able to be in front of Max, he wouldn't necessarily ask me to swap positions and make Max win.

"I'm not really worrying about the relationship we're going to have in both sides. I know what I want to do, and probably how he drives and how he thinks."

Tsunoda has started his fifth F1 season with 12th and 16th-place finishes in Melbourne and Shanghai respectively.

And the 24-year-old hopes he can go higher at his home Grand Prix.

"Obviously, I want to say points or a podium or whatever," he added. "But at the same time, realistically, you think about jumping into the new car straight away with limited sessions, that's pretty tough.

"I think what I can say for now is if I can score points - top 10 - I'll be happy."