Red Bull Racing’s Assessment of Yuki Tsunoda’s Performance
Red Bull Racing’s motorsport advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, has outlined critical areas for improvement regarding Yuki Tsunoda’s performance in the 2025 season. Following a mid-season adjustment that saw Tsunoda replace rookie Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen, the Japanese driver has struggled to acclimate to the RB21, amassing only seven points since his arrival, four from Grand Prix races and three from the Miami sprint.
Marko remarked, "Yuki started well. He didn’t have the success we expected from him, but on Friday, he’s consistently within a tenth or two of Max, which is an improvement we haven’t seen in years."
Despite his fast practice times, Marko emphasized the need for Tsunoda to convert speed into race results: "He has the talent to get to the podium. He improved in his personal approach… He just has to get his act together—not to try to beat Max, which is impossible. But I hope he will accumulate more points."
Tsunoda’s challenges may stem from the RB21’s design, tailored to Verstappen’s driving style, leaving other drivers, including Tsunoda, finding it hard to adapt. If performance does not improve, the prospect of a 2026 contract extension appears bleak.
Red Bull’s junior driver pathway remains promising, with Isack Hadjar gaining attention for his performance alongside Lawson. "For sure, I don’t feel ready. That’s a fact," Hadjar stated. "I think it’s good to take experience where I’m at… I enjoy driving the car, so we’ll see in the future."
Marko also highlighted 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad, competing in Formula 2. He noted, “There’s plenty of talent in the pipeline,” despite Lindblad’s current results not fully reflecting his potential. Marko expressed confidence in Lindblad’s mental strength and professional approach, indicating that the future of Red Bull Racing’s talent pool remains robust.
As the season progresses, the focus will be on whether Tsunoda can harness his speed to enhance his standing within the team and secure his future at Red Bull Racing.
