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Red Bull Faces Urgent Decision: Will Yuki Tsunoda’s Performance Save His F1 Future?

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
September 12, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Red Bull Faces Urgent Decision: Will Yuki Tsunoda’s Performance Save His F1 Future?

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 07: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 07, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202509070892 // Usage for editorial use only //

Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull Future Hangs by a Thread: Team Boss Demands More “Clean Samples” After Disappointing Performance

In a high-stakes world where every lap counts and every decision can shape a career, Red Bull Racing’s team principal Laurent Mekies has voiced a growing concern over Yuki Tsunoda’s future as the clock ticks down to finalize the 2026 driver line-up. Following another tumultuous race at the Italian Grand Prix, Mekies emphasized the urgent need for “clean samples” to evaluate Tsunoda’s potential, as the young driver continues to struggle amidst a chaotic midfield.

The race at Monza was a glaring reminder of the challenges Tsunoda faces. After a promising start, where he showed speed within two tenths of his teammate Max Verstappen in both Q1 and Q2, Tsunoda’s hopes were dashed during the race when contact with former teammate Liam Lawson resulted in significant floor damage. With Verstappen cruising to victory from pole position, Tsunoda found himself stranded in the midfield, unable to score points and showcase his abilities.

This latest setback adds to a string of frustrating performances for Tsunoda, who is keenly aware that the frantic battles in the midfield are hindering his chances to demonstrate his true racing prowess. Mekies expressed his disappointment, stating, “We need clean samples, because today was a poor sample. The races at the front are very clean; you get at least a good stint to read your performance. Here, it’s very difficult to get anything out of today.”

As Mekies and Helmut Marko prepare to finalize their driver line-up by the end of October, pressure mounts on Tsunoda, who seems to be at a crossroads in his career. The team appears to be leaning towards promoting junior driver Isack Hadjar to a significant role, while Arvid Lindblad could make his F1 debut with the sister team, Racing Bulls. The competition for seats is fierce, and Tsunoda must prove he can not only keep pace with Verstappen but also perform under pressure.

The stark contrast between the difficult-to-handle Red Bull RB21 and the more forgiving VCARB 02 complicates Tsunoda’s situation. Mekies pointed out that while the Japanese driver has shown promising qualifying speed, his race pace leaves much to be desired. “I think it is correct to say that we probably have more work to do on race pace than on qualifying pace with Yuki,” Mekies stated. “The race for Yuki is difficult to read because of the traffic in the first stint and damage in the second.”

Despite the challenges, Mekies acknowledged that Tsunoda’s qualifying performance was commendable, especially considering he was only two tenths off Verstappen’s pace. However, the inability to translate that speed into race-day success has cast a shadow over his future. With Tsunoda still using an older floor specification while Verstappen benefitted from a recent upgrade, the stakes are even higher as they prepare to race in Azerbaijan next week.

Mekies clarified that the recent floor update was minor but crucial, stating, “It’s a small update. It’s not a few tenths, but everything matters. We are confident it’s a small step in the right direction.” As Tsunoda seeks to reclaim his footing in the competitive world of Formula 1, the upcoming races will be pivotal in determining whether he can secure his place in the Red Bull family or face the daunting prospect of being replaced.

As the pressure mounts and the spotlight intensifies, Yuki Tsunoda’s journey in Formula 1 is at a critical juncture. Can he rise to the occasion and deliver the “clean samples” that Red Bull demands, or will he become another name lost in the fast-paced world of motorsport? Only time will tell.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonliam-lawson-2max-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racingyuki-tsunodas
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