Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner has delivered a strong warning to driver Yuki Tsunoda after the Japanese racer’s poor showing at the recent Austrian Grand Prix. Tsunoda finished last among the remaining competitors, highlighting significant performance issues that demand urgent attention.
During the race weekend, Tsunoda faced additional setbacks including a collision with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, which resulted in a 10-second time penalty. This incident, coupled with the addition of two penalty points on his FIA Super Licence, deepened his troubles. Horner acknowledged the difficulties Tsunoda is experiencing but emphasized that improvement is essential.
We need to understand with Yuki what’s gone wrong [this weekend],
Horner said on F1 TV, reflecting on Tsunoda’s weekend.
FP1 and FP2, certainly FP2 and FP3, he was looking okay. Qualifying it seemed to fall apart for him.
Horner indicated confidence struggles may be a key factor, noting,
When you’re out of position, you’re down the pack like that, when it’s so tight… he’s struggling, I think he’s struggling for confidence. But we’ll work with him, we’ll try and help him through it.
He also highlighted the challenges posed by the car itself, saying,
It isn’t an easy car to drive, but it’s not that difficult either. We’ll work with him and hopefully it’ll make a step up in Silverstone.
Mounting pressures on Tsunoda as Silverstone approaches
Tsunoda was called up early in the 2025 season, after only two Grand Prix appearances, to replace Liam Lawson, who had previously stepped in for Sergio Perez. Despite this opportunity, Tsunoda has struggled to consistently score points, managing just seven points across nine races.
With Max Verstappen remaining the standout performer for Red Bull—despite a first-lap crash at the Austrian GP—drivers like Tsunoda face a tough challenge living up to the team’s high standards. As the British Grand Prix at Silverstone draws near, Tsunoda is under considerable pressure to demonstrate his value and secure his long-term place within the team.
Context of Red Bull’s current challenges and Horner’s ongoing leadership
Christian Horner’s frustration with recent issues extends beyond Tsunoda’s situation, underscoring a tense period for Red Bull. Verstappen’s crash in Spielberg and Tsunoda’s struggles show that the team’s dominance is not guaranteed, even as they continue developing their car and managing driver performance.
The outcome of the upcoming Silverstone race weekend will be critical for Tsunoda and Red Bull. How the team handles these internal pressures could shape both Tsunoda’s career path and the team’s broader competitive prospects this season.