Yuki Tsunoda has scored points in three of his first five appearances for Red Bull. But the problem is that he’s yet to crack the top eight.
Tsunoda was 12th on his debut in Japan before a season-high P9 in Bahrain. He made Q3 again in Saudi Arabia but crashed out on the opening lap after a tangle with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
He held 10th place in Miami and finished in the same position at Imola after a commendable rally from the back of the field. Tsunoda started in the pit lane after wrecking his car in a huge qualifying shunt.
| SESSION | PTS |
| Japan | 0 |
| Bahrain | 2 |
| Saudi Arabia | 0 |
| Miami Sprint | 3 |
| Miami | 1 |
| Emilia Romagna | 1 |
| Total | 7 |
His biggest points haul as a Red Bull driver actually came in the Miami Sprint. Once again starting from the back, the Japanese driver navigated his way through the chaos in changeable conditions to finish sixth.
Tsunoda has objectively been an upgrade on Liam Lawson, who failed to score or get out of Q1 in his two weekends with the team. But he’s still been outscored 88-7 by Max Verstappen.
Yuki Tsunoda running a different front wing to Max Verstappen at Monaco Grand Prix
Speaking on F1 TV’s Tech Talk show at the Monaco Grand Prix, Sam Collins pointed out a key difference between the two Red Bull cars.
Title chaser Verstappen is running a shorter nose, while Tsunoda’s extends to the bottom of the front wing. Collins noted that Red Bull also used this arrangement while Lawson was racing for the team.
The Milton Keynes outfit are ‘splitting their aerodynamic strategy’ to increase the scope of their data gathering. The team have publicly stated that winning the drivers’ title with Verstappen is their priority this year, with the Dutchman cemented as the no. 1.
“This is actually Yuki Tsunoda’s car that once again, Red Bull are splitting their aerodynamic strategy between the two cars,” Collins said.
“Yuki Tsunoda here with the long nose that comes down to that front element of that front wing. Max Verstappen sticking with that short nose.
“We saw the same split with Liam Lawson when he was in the team before Yuki Tsunoda replaced him.”
Why Guenther Steiner believes Yuki Tsunoda will follow Liam Lawson out of Red Bull
Tsunoda has exposed a ‘larger problem’ at Red Bull since he joined, according to F1 pundit Marc Priestley. They still can’t find a driver who can get close to Verstappen.
After making a forgettable but stable start, Tsunoda has cut into Red Bull’s budget with two heavy accidents, one of which was a racing incident. This could have long-term repercussions.
Guenther Steiner believes Tsunoda will be ‘gone’ at the end of the year. The former Haas boss says he’s making too many mistakes right now.
Steiner suspects that Isack Hadjar will be called up from Racing Bulls to replace him. Hadjar has impressed against Lawson, but it’s possible that the Frenchman would just continue the cycle.
