Title: Villeneuve Rips Into Tsunoda: “Why Keep Him? He Contributes Nothing!”
In a blistering critique that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Jacques Villeneuve has boldly declared that Red Bull Racing must seriously reconsider their decision to retain Yuki Tsunoda. The former world champion’s comments come as the Japanese driver struggles to find his footing within the elite team, raising questions about his future in the sport.
Yuki Tsunoda’s journey with Red Bull has been anything but smooth. After being promoted to the main team during the home Grand Prix in Suzuka, Tsunoda has faced a barrage of challenges that mirror the struggles of his predecessors, Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson. His performance pales in comparison to that of Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, who continues to dominate the track while Tsunoda flounders in mediocrity.
The Red Bull car, engineered meticulously for Verstappen, has proven to be a complex beast for Tsunoda, who has fought valiantly to adapt. Yet, despite some recent improvements leading him to score points in four out of the last seven races—including a noteworthy appearance in the Austin Sprint—critics argue that it may not be enough to secure his position for the 2026 season. While team leaders Laurent Mekies and Helmut Marko have opted to delay their judgment until the end of the season, Villeneuve’s assessment leaves no room for doubt.
Villeneuve’s scathing remarks are unambiguous: “I don’t understand how a team can say that Tsunoda had a good weekend in Mexico. It may have been the least disappointing performance, but it certainly wasn’t a good one. He remains light-years behind Verstappen and is contributing nothing to the team, neither in terms of pace nor points, nor in supporting Max’s championship efforts.”
The Canadian racing legend didn’t hold back as he highlighted the disparity between Tsunoda and his more accomplished teammate, suggesting that the young driver’s continued presence in the team is more a matter of loyalty than merit. “We’ve seen the best of him, but he seems to be on the decline. It appears he’s being overly protected for some unknown reason,” Villeneuve added, questioning the rationale behind keeping a driver who isn’t delivering results.
In the wake of new regulations that demand a high level of experience and adaptability, Villeneuve emphasized that not all experience is valuable. “It doesn’t matter if a driver has 20 years of racing experience; if they haven’t shown speed, they likely won’t in the future,” he stated. “So why confirm a driver you know isn’t good enough?”
As the F1 world watches closely, the pressure mounts on Red Bull to make a pivotal decision regarding Tsunoda’s future. With Villeneuve’s fiery condemnation echoing in the paddock, it’s clear that the stakes have never been higher for the young driver. Will Red Bull make the necessary adjustments, or will they continue to gamble on a driver who could be more of a hindrance than a help? The answer may come sooner than expected.







