Red Bull Adjusts Setup to Support Yuki Tsunoda in Suzuka

In a thrilling start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Yuki Tsunoda has shown impressive performance, finishing mere fractions of a second behind teammate Max Verstappen during his debut practice session at Suzuka. As the race weekend unfolds, Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner has revealed that they will modify the RB21 to offer Tsunoda a more stable and predictable car.

Sacrificing Speed for Stability

Recognizing Verstappen’s exceptional ability to extract maximum performance from the car, Horner believes it’s crucial to provide Tsunoda with a calmer, more predictable vehicle. “I think we have to provide a different setup,” he shared with Sky Sports F1. “Max’s unique talent for extracting lap time is unparalleled. We haven’t seen another driver match his ability in this way.

To ensure Tsunoda’s confidence, the team will adjust the car setup to provide a more settled feel, even if it means sacrificing some speed. This approach aims to inspire confidence and help the young Japanese driver navigate the challenges ahead.

A Promising Partnership in the Making

With a rocky start to the season, Red Bull is eager to establish a strong partnership between its drivers this year. If Tsunoda can deliver not only strong results but also valuable feedback, the team can focus on improving their challenging car.

Widening the Operating Window for Improved Performance

The team has been working tirelessly to expand the operating window of the RB21 for the 2025 season, not necessarily aiming for peak performance but rather a broader range to tackle various challenges. Helmut Marko previously disclosed this strategy to Motorsport.com.

The car’s primary issue lies in its narrow operating window. Horner explained the challenge the team faced at the beginning of the year, “The engineers have been very focused on how you broaden that window [for the 2025 season], not necessarily adding ultimate performance, but just broadening the window so we’re across the different challenges and have a much wider operating window.

Despite Verstappen’s ability to mask most of the issues thus far, he is still struggling compared to previous seasons. Currently, he trails leader Lando Norris by eight points in the drivers’ standings.