Japanese Racer Yuki Tsunoda Faces Challenges in Red Bull Debut

After a swift promotion to Red Bull from Racing Bulls following just two grands prix in the 2025 Formula 1 season, Japanese racer Yuki Tsunoda found himself under immense pressure. His mission was clear – score points and support the team in its fierce battle against McLaren. However, since his move up, Tsunoda has been grappling with inconsistent performances, marked by crashes and disappointing finishes, threatening his position at the high-stakes Red Bull Racing outfit.

Replacing Liam Lawson at Red Bull

Tsunoda replaced New Zealander Liam Lawson at Red Bull after the rookie failed to meet Red Bull’s lofty expectations. In his first two races for the team, Lawson crashed out and finished 12th, leaving a modest benchmark for Tsunoda to surpass.

Despite managing to outperform Lawson, Tsunoda has only just managed to do so. Over five race-stints with Red Bull, his best finish was a 9th place, earning him four world championship points. In contrast, teammate Max Verstappen claimed two race wins and amassed 88 points over the same period – not including sprints.

The Gap Between Tsunoda and Verstappen

The stark difference between Verstappen’s performance and Tsunoda’s was evident at the Emilia Romagna GP, where Tsunoda crashed violently in the first stage of qualifying, forcing him to start from the pitlane. Verstappen, on the other hand, secured a second-place finish.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner commented on the incident, stating, “The most important thing with that was that he jumped out of it OK.” Tsunoda took full responsibility for the crash and described it as “unnecessary” and “stupid”. The narrow nature of the Imola track meant that the accident ruined Tsunoda’s chances of a strong result.

Red Bull’s Focus on the Driver’s Championship

Despite the setbacks, Horner praised Tsunoda’s performance in Imola, where he climbed through the ranks to finish 10th on the road, picking up another point. However, Horner emphasized that the constructors’ championship was a long shot at the moment, and all focus was on the driver’s championship.

Horner acknowledged Tsunoda’s progress but expressed concern about his inconsistent performances. “Sometimes you have to step back and build the confidence gradually,” he said. Tsunoda himself admitted that he needed to start higher up the order if he wanted to contribute effectively to Red Bull’s campaign for F1’s titles.

The Road Ahead for Yuki Tsunoda

Tsunoda’s debut with Red Bull hasn’t been an easy one. He joined the team with a baptism of fire at his home grand prix, followed by fearsome, narrow tracks in Saudi Arabia and Miami. Even with a return to purpose-built circuits like Imola, the Japanese driver had to contend with a tight track that was tough to pass on.

After races like this, and the results he achieved, Tsunoda needs a clean race weekend to prove his worth to Red Bull. Incidents like his crash with Pierre Gasly in Saudi Arabia and his finish outside the points in Japan aren’t helping his cause.

Tsunoda is optimistic about his future performances, stating that he has “moved on already” after his Imola crash. However, the tight city streets of Monaco could pose a significant challenge to his confidence, as mistakes are quickly punished in the principality. An out-of-position Red Bull will find it difficult to carve through the pack on the narrow circuit, no matter how comfortable the driver is feeling at the wheel.

Confidence in the car and learning the quirks of the RB21 aren’t the only challenges Tsunoda faces. Incidents like his crash in Imola also deplete his allocation of spares for the season. The rebuild in Imola required a new survival cell and floor, which was a new spec that had only been added to Tsunoda’s car a day before the crash. What’s more, the rebuild warranted a raft of engine parts, potentially leading to grid penalties further down the line. If those penalties start coming just as he gets to grips with his new team, the young racer may never realize the promise Red Bull held for him.