Red Bull Racing Faces Crisis with Yuki Tsunoda’s Poor Performance in F1
Red Bull Racing is currently facing a major crisis with the underwhelming performance of Yuki Tsunoda in the Formula 1 championship. Despite being given “more time” by the team’s advisor Helmut Marko, serious concerns have been raised about Tsunoda’s form since joining the prestigious Milton Keynes-based squad.
The Japanese driver was thrust into Red Bull Racing after just two Grands Prix this season, replacing Liam Lawson. Despite initially outperforming his predecessor, Tsunoda has struggled to make a significant impact, scoring only seven points in the seven race weekends he has completed for the team so far.
Following the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Tsunoda expressed his frustration, stating that something was “not right” with the RB21 car. This has reignited discussions about the challenges faced by the second driver at Red Bull Racing, with Max Verstappen maintaining a significant lead despite the car’s difficulties.
Helmut Marko acknowledged the issues surrounding Tsunoda’s performance, noting that the team has already accepted that they have slim chances of winning the Constructors’ Championship this season. Marko highlighted Tsunoda’s struggles to adapt quickly compared to Verstappen, emphasizing the pressure the young driver faces during qualifying sessions.
Despite the concerns, Marko confirmed that Tsunoda will be given more time to improve his performance, indicating that he is expected to remain in the car until the end of the season. This decision comes as part of Red Bull Racing’s ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by their second driver, a position that has proven problematic since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018.
While some, like Valtteri Bottas, have suggested that a more experienced driver might fare better in the difficult RB21 car, Tsunoda has received support from Verstappen himself. The Dutch driver defended Tsunoda, stating that the issues faced by the second driver have been ongoing for a long time.
For Tsunoda to turn his fortunes around, Red Bull Racing will need to significantly improve the performance of the RB21 car to provide him with a better opportunity to showcase his talent. The team’s faith in Tsunoda remains, but the pressure is on for the young driver to deliver better results in the upcoming races.
