Yuki Tsunoda is coming under increasing pressure at Red Bull after yet another disappointing weekend in Imola.
The Japanese driver crashed almost immediately during qualifying, rolling his car and handing the Red Bull mechanics a lot of work to do ahead of the race.
Tsunoda managed to scramble one point after starting from the pit lane on Sunday, but while his teammate won the race, it shows how far behind he is where he should be.
Sitting 12th in the drivers’ championship won’t see him last too long, and with the high-performing Isack Hadjar in the wings, the intensity of the situation is ramping up.
Tsunoda ‘still lacks’ in two key areas at Red Bull and needs to find more confidence in their car if he wants to get close to where he is expected to be.
From the outside, it may not have looked bad, but Tsunoda’s crash was a ‘very painful’ blow to Red Bull and their hopes of another title in 2025. The damage could cost them in the development race.
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Ted Kravitz thinks Red Bull would have hated Yuki Tsunoda ‘shocker’ in Imola
Helmut Marko didn’t mind Tsunoda’s Imola performance but would prefer him to repeat it without crashing next time.
The upcoming Monaco Grand Prix is historically unforgiving and leaves no room for error. A crash around the principality could end his weekend on the spot.
Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz believes that Tsunoda’s crash in Imola was something that Red Bull drivers just ‘don’t’ do, especially given the sensitive information under their car.
“The shocker would probably be Yuki Tsunoda binning it on the first lap of Q1. That is a shocker and Red Bull Racing don’t like to see their cars upside down rolling in a gravel trap.
“That’s not to say that other teams do. But it’s just not a thing that Red Bull Racing drivers do. Especially if the old upside down, see the floor, not that maybe it’s pulling up the daisies at the moment.”
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Why Yuki Tsunoda should be quicker at the Monaco Grand Prix
Red Bull have won four of the last six Monaco Grands Prix, and it’s a track which suits their car – typically designed to be aerodynamically efficient.
This year is unusual due to their struggles, and it’s unknown whether they will possess their usual strengths around the streets of Monte Carlo.
With Red Bull having ‘nailed’ a key McLaren advantage following upgrades at the last round in Imola, they should be in a better position to compete than they have been all year.
Now it’s down to their drivers to deliver. The reigning world champion can usually be counted on, but Tsunoda has a great opportunity at a strong track for his team to prove his value.
