Yuki Tsunoda is having a difficult time at Red Bull in 2025. The Japanese driver has become the latest driver to be thrust into the second seat next to Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson at Red Bull after just two races. The New Zealander lost total confidence as he could not adapt to the RB21’s sensitive nature, getting eliminated in Q1 in Melbourne and Shanghai.
Since joining the team, Tsunoda has been an improvement on Lawson, getting his car into Q3 on occasion and scoring seven points of his 10 thus far with Red Bull. However, the pace deficit to his teammate is alarming.
| Position | Drivers’ Championship | Points |
| 1 |
Oscar Piastri |
161 |
| 2 |
Lando Norris |
158 |
| 3 |
Max Verstappen |
136 |
| 4 |
George Russell |
99 |
| 5 |
Charles Leclerc |
79 |
| 6 |
Lewis Hamilton |
63 |
| 7 |
Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
48 |
| 8 |
Alexander Albon |
42 |
| 9 |
Esteban Ocon |
20 |
| 10 |
Isack Hadjar |
15 |
| 11 |
Lance Stroll |
14 |
| 12 |
Carlos Sainz Jr |
12 |
| 13 |
Yuki Tsunoda |
10 |
| 14 |
Pierre Gasly |
7 |
| 15 |
Nico Hulkenberg |
6 |
| 16 |
Oliver Bearman |
6 |
| 17 |
Liam Lawson |
4 |
| 18 |
Fernando Alonso |
0 |
| 19 |
Jack Doohan |
0 |
| 20 |
Franco Colapinto |
0 |
| 21 |
Gabriel Bortoleto |
0 |
Tsunoda’s qualifying performance was a ‘real problem’ in Monaco as he was knocked out in Q2 in P12, half a second down on Verstappen. Tsunoda fumed over his team radio after his qualifying exit; an old habit that cost him a seat at Red Bull in the past.
His race was no better, as Tsunoda’s strategy went horribly wrong and left him finishing in 17th. The Japanese driver has been off the pace compared to Verstappen – Nico Rosberg has spotted why he is having ‘such a problem’ with the car.
Nico Rosberg spots Yuki Tsunoda has ‘such a problem’ handling the RB21 after watching ‘magical’ Max Verstappen in Spain
Red Bull’s drivers have made it no secret that the RB21 is a difficult car to drive. Even Verstappen has been complaining about the car’s characteristics, but he is still able to drive the machine to the limit, winning two races and claiming three pole positions.
Meanwhile, Tsunoda ‘still lacks’ the confidence to push the car like his teammate. Nico Rosberg saw this first-hand as he watched Verstappen flying through turn three on the limit in FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The 2016 F1 champion described Verstappen as a ‘work of art’ as he noticed his RB21 was ‘all over the place’, but the 27-year-old kept the car stable. Speaking on Sky Sports F1 (30/5, 4:32pm), Rosberg saw why Tsunoda is struggling to adapt at Red Bull.
“Well Verstappen, Verstappen is like a work of art. Because his car is all over the place and he’s put so much oversteer into that car.
“But he holds it and dances on the rear within the limit. So watching Verstappen through there is just magical, it’s really unbelievable.
“And you can see why Tsunoda just has such a problem with that. It’s so hard their car, their car seems like a real handful.”
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents
Could Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull future soon be at risk?
With just 10 points in 2025, Tsunoda is being outperformed by Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, who is consistently breaking into Q3 and impressing the Red Bull hierarchy.
Tsunoda’s contract is up at the end of the season, putting his future with the team and F1 in general at risk. Rumours have already begun to swirl about what Red Bull will do with the Japanese driver come 2026.
Tsunoda has been told he has 2025 to prove his worth at the Milton Keynes outfit. While he has time on his side, Red Bull will certainly expect more than P10 from the 24-year-old.
Reports have claimed that Hadjar is ‘on his way’ to joining Red Bull with his performances at Racing Bulls. Tsunoda will be under immense pressure to keep his spot on the grid next season.
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