Red Bull’s F1 Future in Turmoil: Yuki Tsunoda’s Last Chance to Shine
In a shocking turn of events, Red Bull’s top brass has been forced to engage in intense discussions with Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda following a string of disappointing performances this season. The young Japanese driver was thrust into the spotlight as Max Verstappen’s teammate early in the 2025 season, displacing Liam Lawson to the junior team after a lackluster start. While hopes were high for Tsunoda to bolster Red Bull’s championship aspirations, the reality has been far from ideal.
With Red Bull now languishing in fourth place in the constructors’ standings, it’s evident that Tsunoda’s contribution has fallen short, with only three points finishes to his name so far. The recent races have been particularly grim for the Japanese racer, finishing at the back of the pack and struggling to match Verstappen’s pace. In a bid to salvage Tsunoda’s future with the team, Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, has revealed a multi-faceted approach to reignite the young driver’s potential.
Acknowledging Tsunoda’s challenges, Marko highlighted a glimmer of progress during the British Grand Prix weekend, citing improved performance in practice sessions and a commendable 11th-place grid start. The team has reportedly engaged sports psychologists to work with Tsunoda in a bid to enhance his mental fortitude and on-track capabilities. Despite the setbacks faced in recent races, Marko remains cautiously optimistic about Tsunoda’s prospects, emphasizing the importance of translating improved performance into tangible results.
However, the looming question remains: Will Tsunoda run out of time to prove his worth within the Red Bull stable? As whispers of a potential driver shakeup circulate following Red Bull’s tumultuous fallout from the British Grand Prix, Tsunoda finds himself at a critical juncture in his F1 career. The abrupt dismissal of principal Christian Horner has set the stage for a leadership overhaul, with Laurent Mekies stepping into the spotlight as the new head honcho at Red Bull.
As speculation mounts over Verstappen’s future and a possible switch to rival team Mercedes, Red Bull faces a precarious situation where retaining Tsunoda could prove pivotal in maintaining stability within the team. While Tsunoda’s current performance may not meet the team’s lofty expectations, parting ways with the young driver could spell further upheaval and the arduous task of grooming inexperienced replacements.
With the F1 landscape poised for a potential seismic shift, all eyes are on Tsunoda as he grapples with the immense pressure to deliver results and secure his seat at Red Bull for the 2026 season. As the stakes continue to rise, the fate of Red Bull’s F1 future hangs in the balance, with Tsunoda’s last chance to shine under the unforgiving glare of the racing world.
STATISTICS
Yuki Tsunoda (Japanese: 角田 裕毅, Hepburn: Tsunoda Yūki, born 11 May 2000) is a Japanese racing driver, who competes in Formula One for Red Bull Racing. Born in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Tsunoda began competitive kart racing aged nine. Supported by Honda since 2016 through the Honda Formula Dream Project , Tsunoda graduated to junior formulae the same year. He won his first full championship at the JAF Japan F4 East Series in 2017, winning the F4 Japanese Championship the next season. In 2019, he progressed to FIA Formula 3 with Jenzer and became a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, before finishing third in his rookie season of FIA Formula 2 in 2020 with Carlin. Tsunoda debuted in Formula One for AlphaTauri in 2021, using a Honda powertrain alongside Pierre Gasly; he finished a career-best fourth at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that year. Tsunoda retained his seat at AlphaTauri in 2022 and 2023, partnering Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo in the latter. He remained at the team for the 2024 season as they re-branded to Racing Bulls. Tsunoda was originally contracted to remain at Racing Bulls until at least the end of the 2025 season, partnering with Isack Hadjar, but was promoted to Red Bull Racing on 27 March 2025. He currently wears jersey number 22. Current Season: 8 podium finishes, 3 race wins, 2 pole positions. Championship standings: 2nd place with 285 points. Best lap times: Sector records at 4 circuits. Career wins: 25 victories from 180 starts. Fastest lap awards: 12 career fastest laps. Team performance: Leading constructor’s championship.