Tsunoda Takes Responsibility After Disappointing Austrian Grand Prix Performance
Yuki Tsunoda acknowledged his struggles during the 2025 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, where he finished 16th—two laps down from race winner Lando Norris. The Japanese driver, who stepped in as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing following Liam Lawson’s brief tenure, has garnered only seven points across nine races this season, coupled with three points from his time with sister team AlphaTauri in China.
Tsunoda’s performance in Austria has ignited questions about his ability to extract the full potential of the Red Bull car compared to Verstappen. Starting from 18th position after being eliminated in Q1, Tsunoda failed to make significant progress during the race and incurred a 10-second penalty for a collision with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.
In reflecting on his race, Tsunoda stated, "The issue in the race was me. The overtake… I tried to overtake in a way that probably I could just wait one more lap. It was a bit unnecessary to push flat out that much in that situation. So, the racecraft wasn’t ideal."
Despite criticisms, Tsunoda remains optimistic about his relationship with the team, affirming the support of team principal Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko. "I feel definitely the support, especially these days and more than ever," Tsunoda noted, revealing that his recent training with Red Bull’s physio aimed to refresh his mindset.
Marko has indicated that Tsunoda will retain his position for the remainder of the season, a decision the driver appreciates amidst ongoing scrutiny. “He still trusts my talent and the speed, so I just have to prove on track that I can do it,” Tsunoda said. He also acknowledged the unique challenges of adapting to the Red Bull car, indicating that the learning curve could take the entirety of the season.
As he gears up for the upcoming British Grand Prix, Tsunoda remains committed to improving his performance, particularly noting his struggles with long-run pace: “I’ll find a way. I saw a couple of driving styles [changes] that I can try that I never tried in my career in Formula 1.”
Tsunoda’s determination to enhance his skills, combined with ongoing team support, sets a hopeful stage as he continues to navigate the competitive landscape of Formula 1.
