Helmut Marko pinpoints the moment ‘furious’ Adrian Newey decided he never wanted Yuki Tsunoda to race for Red Bull

Yuki Tsunoda is the latest driver to be put under the microscope alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

No driver has completed more races in Red Bull’s junior team than Yuki Tsunoda before being handed a promotion.

In stark contrast to the 11 Grand Prix Liam Lawson had completed before team principal Christian Horner and chief advisor Helmut Marko handed him an unlikely call-up, Tsunoda’s 90th Grand Prix start will take place at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Tsunoda has made positive noises about his time in Red Bull’s simulator, but stepping into the RB21 on Friday is a completely different prospect.

The Japanese driver probably thought his chances of ever racing for Red Bull were over once he was overlooked for Lawson during the winter break.

Lawson pushed Red Bull hard for his opportunity, and may have been given more time had Adrian Newey stuck with the team.

Newey was against Tsunoda being promoted to Red Bull, and Marko has now revealed the exact moment that put the genius designer off the idea of the 24-year-old ever partnering Verstappen.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents

Adrian Newey ‘furious’ with Yuki Tsunoda after Mexico City Grand Prix crash

Marko was asked why Red Bull didn’t promote Tsunoda over Lawson at the end of last season by Kleine Zeitung and said: “For a long time, Yuki had the image of not performing consistently and making silly mistakes here and there.

“That’s what happened last year in Mexico, where the decisive phase for us began. With Lawson, it was the exact opposite at first: he came on and delivered straight away, no matter how great the pressure was.

“In retrospect, however, it wasn’t the right decision. In general, however, a lot can be traced back to a single incident.

LAP 1 / 71

Tsunoda spins into the barriers at Turn 1. Alex Albon is also out 😔

Both drivers are OK.

Verstappen made the better start on the front row and launches into the lead of the race! #F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/wFflNKGGRS

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 27, 2024

“There, Tsunoda drove into Pierre Gasly’s car, and parts of the cars on the track damaged the underbody of Verstappen’s car, which cost him the race.

“Adrian Newey was furious at the time. From that point on, Yuki was a red rag to him. But now Newey is gone, and Yuki has worked hard on himself.”

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko? Everything to know

Helmut Marko gives verdict on whether Yuki Tsunoda could become a number one F1 driver

Marko was asked if Tsunoda has the potential to lead an F1 team and explained: “Yes, absolutely.

“He came out of the winter break strong and delivered two great races, in which only the strategy department prevented him from achieving a better placing.

“Yuki has changed management, he’s simply grown up—and he’s got a lot of self-confidence anyway.

“I heard he said he’s already expecting a podium finish in Japan. I’d be happy if Max made it onto the podium… But hey, let’s wait and see.”

Marko has changed his opinion of Tsunoda, but his commitment to the Japanese driver may change once again if he fails to close the gap to Verstappen.

Tsunoda is expected to be within three-tenths of his teammate if he wants to stand a chance of retaining his seat in 2026.

It’s impossible to know whether he, or any other driver, is capable of doing that in the tricky RB21, but Suzuka will provide fans with the first opportunity to see whether Lawson was underperforming or if Verstappen is simply several levels above any of Red Bull’s other drivers.