Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has commented on the areas where Yuki Tsunoda must improve to achieve success with the team. The Japanese driver joined Red Bull during the 2024 season, replacing Liam Lawson two races in, but has struggled to fully adapt to the RB21 car.
Since his promotion ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Tsunoda has accumulated only seven points, including four from Grands Prix and three from the Miami sprint race, signaling challenges in converting pace into consistent results.
Performance and adaptation challenges after mid-season promotion
Initially, Liam Lawson was signed to replace Sergio Perez for the 2025 season, but the decision was reversed early in the 2024 season when Tsunoda was moved into Lawson’s seat alongside Max Verstappen. Despite showing speed during practice sessions, Tsunoda has not yet matched expectations on race day.
Marko pointed out Tsunoda’s close times to Verstappen on Fridays, saying,
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Yuki started well. He didn’t have the success we expected from him, but on Friday, he’s always within a tenth or two of Max, which we didn’t have for years,
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highlighting Tsunoda’s natural pace despite difficulties in translating it to race results.
However, Marko emphasized the need for Tsunoda to convert this pace into points.
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We have to, or Yuki has to translate his speed, which is there, into points. He has the talent to get to the podium. He improved also in his personal approach. We all know how impulsive Yuki can be on the radio -he learned out of it.
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Key traits and growth areas for Tsunoda at Red Bull
Marko described Tsunoda as a quick driver who needs to focus on managing his performance rather than trying to directly match Verstappen’s level.
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He is a quick driver. He just has to get his act together – not to try to beat Max, which is impossible. But I think he has accepted that, and I hope he will make a lot of points.
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It is widely recognized that Red Bull’s car design favors Verstappen’s driving style, which makes adaptation challenging for other drivers, including Tsunoda. Should struggles continue, Tsunoda’s future with the team beyond 2025 may be uncertain, as Red Bull looks at other potential candidates for the seat.
Potential replacements and upcoming talent in Red Bull’s pipeline
If Tsunoda does not secure a contract extension, drivers from the junior program, such as Isack Hadjar, who shares a similar driving style to Verstappen, could be considered for a Red Bull seat. Hadjar recently impressed in his F1 debut and expressed his eagerness to learn and enjoy racing at this level.
Hadjar candidly told the media ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix,
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For sure, I don’t feel ready. That’s a fact,
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and added,
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I think it’s good to take experience where I’m at. I’m enjoying so much every weekend, learning a lot. It’s a car I enjoy driving, so we’ll see in the future. As a Red Bull Junior driver, the trajectory is normal to go there.
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Marko also acknowledged the talent of Arvid Lindblad, another Red Bull junior currently campaigning in Formula 2. He praised Lindblad’s maturity and decision-making since a young age and sees him as a promising prospect despite recent setbacks in qualifying.
Marko commented,
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There’s Lindblad, who is 17 years old, His father is Swedish, the mother is Indian. And when we signed him, it was also him who made all the decisions. He was asking the right questions, and at that stage, he was — I think — 12 or so. So there’s plenty [of talent] in the pipeline.
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He added regarding Lindblad’s recent performances,
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The last one was eight-tenths of a second, which kept him out — that he would have got. But it is his mental strength, his commitment, and his very professional approach.
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Implications for Tsunoda’s future and Red Bull’s driver strategy
Tsundoa’s current challenges at Red Bull highlight the difficulty of adapting to a car tailored for Verstappen’s style, as well as the pressure to translate raw speed into consistent race results. His personal growth and maturity on and off the radio indicate progress, but the 2025 season will be critical in determining if he can secure a long-term future with the team.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s pool of young talent creates added competition, and drivers like Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad offer alternatives if Tsunoda fails to meet performance expectations. This competitive environment underscores the high stakes for Tsunoda’s Red Bull success improvement areas going into the next season.