Helmut Marko told Yuki Tsunoda what he really thought of his performance at Imola with off-camera nine-word verdict

Although Christian Horner is Red Bull Racing’s team principal, Helmut Marko is the man their drivers need to impress.

Helmut Marko oversees Red Bull’s junior drivers and has had a hand in almost half the current F1 grid making their way into the sport.

Although Max Verstappen is the jewel in the Red Bull junior programme crown, the likes of Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have all gone on to have very successful careers in Formula 1 since leaving the team.

The current crop of Red Bull-backed drivers is being led by Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda.

Tsunoda was promoted by Red Bull after the Chinese Grand Prix when it became clear that Liam Lawson was struggling to adapt to his new surroundings.

The New Zealander is still looking to score his first point of the season, while Tsunoda added to his tally at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by sneaking into 10th.

However, the big talking point of the weekend for the 25-year-old was his massive crash in qualifying that forced him to start from the pit lane.

Marko wouldn’t have been impressed with his mistake but was far happier at the end of the race.

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

Helmut Marko tells Yuki Tsunoda what he really thought about his performance at Imola

The veteran Austrian was speaking about Tsunoda as he walked past him in his interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF.

He was saying: “We have to mention Yuki, he came out of the pit lane in last…” before it was pointed out he was behind him.

Marko then shouted: “Yuki, congratulations! Yeah, so next time without the crash!”

He then continued: “Yes, a good race and Hadjar again! So, a total of three cars in the points is very satisfactory and for Monte Carlo, it is important that we now gain this confidence.”

The 82-year-old isn’t always known for choosing his words carefully, with F1 fans upset with Marko after calling Isack Hadjar ‘embarrassing’ following his formation lap crash in Australia.

The Frenchman backed up Marko’s comments at the following race, but it’s telling that he mentioned the young Frenchman and not Lawson.

Tsunoda, meanwhile, would have been relieved when Marko interrupted his interview to speak to him with a smile on his face after maximising his race weekend after his earlier mistake.

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

Yuki Tsunoda fighting for his Formula 1 future at Red Bull

The Formula 1 driver market went crazy in 2024, with the grid looking significantly different in Melbourne this year compared to the season finale last season.

Tsunoda, initially, didn’t play a part in that, staying at Racing Bulls alongside Hadjar until he was unexpectedly called up two races into the campaign.

While he will be pleased with his promotion, it doesn’t guarantee him a long-term future in Formula 1.

Tsunoda’s contract expires at the end of the season, and right now, he’s not scoring enough points to keep Red Bull in contention to win the constructors’ championship.

He should be given more time to adapt, considering that he spent pre-season with a different team and is having to learn all of Red Bull’s procedures and processes on the job.

Unfortunately, Red Bull have already demonstrated with their treatment of Lawson that time is never on their drivers’ side.

Horner has held informal chats with George Russell with his contract expiring, and while he would be a much more likely candidate to replace Verstappen, he may end up chasing a stronger teammate for the Dutchman if Red Bull have ambitions of winning the constructors’ title again.