Yuki Tsunoda's Performance Under Scrutiny at Red Bull Racing

Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver for Red Bull Racing, has revealed that Helmut Marko, the team's motorsport advisor, only became aware of the significant differences between his car and that of teammate Max Verstappen during the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix. Tsunoda, who replaced Liam Lawson early in the 2025 season, struggled to score points consistently, leading to increased scrutiny from Marko. The introduction of a new floor at Spa-Francorchamps, which aligned more closely with Verstappen's specifications, marked a turning point for Tsunoda, allowing him to achieve his best qualifying result with Red Bull.

Tsunoda: Marko wasn't aware of difference between Red Bull F1 carsTsunoda: Red Bull “didn’t recognise” difference to Verstappen’s carYuki Tsunoda: Helmut Marko “didn’t recognise" the spec gap to Max Verstappen until Spa and HungaryYuki Tsunoda makes staggering Helmut Marko 'difference' claim'I'm not surprised' - Perez on Tsunoda/Lawson's Red Bull strugglesThe main talking points ahead of F1 Dutch GP

Following the upgrades, Tsunoda noted a marked improvement in his performance, stating, "As soon as they introduced that, my pace suddenly improved." In Hungary, the gap in performance between him and Verstappen was significantly reduced, suggesting that Tsunoda may have untapped potential. He emphasized the need to continue improving, stating, "I need to score points... and just need to score points as much as possible." Tsunoda's recent performances have provided him with a renewed sense of confidence as he prepares for the final races of the season.

Tsunoda: Red Bull “didn’t recognise” difference to Verstappen’s car

Tsunoda expressed uncertainty about his future with Red Bull, acknowledging that Marko is evaluating his performance to determine contract decisions for the next season. He stated, "I think he supported me quite a lot... but obviously, he's also quite a straightforward guy. He's here for the team and he wants to have points as much as possible." The pressure remains high for Tsunoda to deliver results, especially with Isack Hadjar's impressive performances at Racing Bulls, which could complicate his position.

Tsunoda: Marko wasn't aware of difference between Red Bull F1 cars

Despite Tsunoda's improvements, there remains skepticism regarding the overall performance of Red Bull Racing. Sergio Perez, a former driver for the team, noted that the struggles of Tsunoda and Lawson have highlighted the challenges of adapting to the unique characteristics of the Red Bull car. Perez remarked, "I knew that this was going to happen... you just have to look at how the years started." His comments suggest that the difficulties faced by Tsunoda may not solely be attributed to the driver but also to the car's evolving dynamics.

'I'm not surprised' - Perez on Tsunoda/Lawson's Red Bull struggles

As the 2025 season progresses, Tsunoda aims to solidify his position within Red Bull Racing. He is focused on maximizing his performance in the remaining races, particularly in circuits where the RB21 may be more competitive. The upcoming Dutch Grand Prix will be crucial for Tsunoda to demonstrate his capability and secure his future with the team.

Tsunoda: Red Bull “didn’t recognise” difference to Verstappen’s car

• “As soon as they introduced that, my pace suddenly improved.” — Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Yuki Tsunoda makes staggering Helmut Marko 'difference' claim

• “That's why I was preparing for it in this summer break and just need to score points as much as possible.” — Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Tsunoda: Marko wasn't aware of difference between Red Bull F1 cars

• “I think he supported me quite a lot, but obviously, he's also quite a straightforward guy.” — Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Tsunoda claims that Red Bull and Marko have finally seen the light

• “So, I knew this was going to happen, and, well, you can see the results.” — Sergio Perez, Former Red Bull Driver

'I'm not surprised' - Perez on Tsunoda/Lawson's Red Bull struggles