The next 20 races of the 2025 Formula 1 season are going to be crucial for Red Bull as they look to convince Max Verstappen to stay and seek to find a reliable second driver.
Promoting Yuki Tsunoda from Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has yielded more success than Liam Lawson delivered during a short two-race spell.
However, Red Bull are now aware that their car has some significant issues. Only Max Verstappen appears to be able to extract good pace from it.
Sitting third in the constructors’ championship isn’t ideal, and it’s likely that Ferrari will overtake them soon if their current form continues.
Tsunoda has one trait Red Bull must exploit, with exceptional braking ability that could help them deliver more success on track. Braking is one of their car’s few strengths.
Verstappen might have lost confidence and could activate a contract clause in the summer if his team’s performance are bad enough and he wants to leave. They will hope to find a better solution in the meantime.
READ MORE: Ted Kravitz explains what made Max Verstappen even more annoyed than Red Bull’s on track issues at the Bahrain Grand Prix
Guenther Steiner predicts Christian Horner will resign Yuki Tsunoda to Red Bull in 2026
Guenther Steiner knows a thing or two when it comes to Formula 1 driver management. He has been keeping close tabs on Red Bull’s situation.
The ex-Haas boss has predicted that team boss Christian Horner will resign Tsunoda ahead of the 2026 F1 regulations.
“There’s nobody else out there, very simple. It’s a relationship they need each other in the moment. Because, as you say, where is Yuki Tsunoda going? I don’t think he’s going to Aston Martin.
“What is Red Bull doing? Who you want to [put in the car] especially as you said, with maybe Max going in 2027. Who you want to have in that team? I think Yuki Tsunoda is doing a good job.”
Damon Hill thinks Red Bull promoted Tsunoda for 2026 and believes that the Japanese driver can use his experience to help develop their car. It may boost his chances of remaining with them.
READ MORE: Yuki Tsunoda explains the ‘different approach’ he would take if he got to do the Japanese Grand Prix all over again
How much faster has Max Verstappen been than Yuki Tsunoda during the 2025 F1 season?
Taking a look at qualifying, Tsunoda’s one-lap pace compared to his teammate doesn’t appear to have been too bad so far.
At the Bahrain Grand Prix, his Q3 wasn’t representative at all, as he was nearly one second behind Verstappen. However, he was just over two tenths behind in Q2.
It represents the closest margin that anyone has been able to hold to him in quite a while. At Suzuka he was less than half a second behind too.
Clearly, his driving style suits the Red Bull better than Lawson’s did. He has probably earned himself the right to his seat until the end of the season.
Now it’s up to the 24-year-old to show what he can do, and potentially chase his first podium over the next 20 rounds.
