Yuki Tsunoda has publicly supported McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s statement that Red Bull Racing would fall behind Racing Bulls in the team standings if they lost Max Verstappen. This discussion comes amid mounting speculation connecting Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, to a potential move to Mercedes for the 2026 season.
Verstappen’s future remains uncertain, with the driver staying mostly silent on his plans. He once said,
“the more I say about it, the more it will be reported in the media,”
indicating his reluctance to comment. However, Nelson Piquet Jr., brother to Verstappen’s partner Kelly, hinted during the Pelas Pista podcast that a decision may soon be reached, stating, “next year, with Max there,” when speaking about Mercedes.
Piquet Jr. later qualified his remarks, mentioning that final contract details remain unsettled, but stressed the importance of a decision by August:
“Until August, he needs to have made a decision. They will either get the final details right or not.”
Zak Brown Highlights Verstappen’s Impact on Red Bull’s Performance
Losing Verstappen would severely affect Red Bull’s standing in the championship. Zak Brown told Sky F1,
“Red Bull would be behind Racing Bulls,”
adding,
“I think Max is carrying them at the moment.”
Verstappen’s dominance in the current season is clear, as he has earned 165 of Red Bull’s total 172 points. As Red Bull sits fourth in the team standings, without Verstappen, they would fall behind Alpine, which has 19 points.
Verstappen’s exceptional record with Red Bull includes 60 Grand Prix wins since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure seven years ago. Meanwhile, his five teammates have combined for just five race victories. Verstappen also boasts four World Championships, with none claimed by his teammates.
Yuki Tsunoda’s Perspective on Red Bull’s Dependence on Verstappen
Rather than take offense at Zak Brown’s remarks, Tsunoda concurs with the McLaren CEO’s viewpoint. Starting the 2025 season with Racing Bulls, Tsunoda scored three points across two races despite encountering problems during the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. After moving to Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix, he has earned seven points over ten races.
Reflecting on Brown’s comments, Tsunoda admitted,
“Well, it’s the truth that probably we’d be behind. I mean, the performances at this point, probably we’ll be behind.”
He added that his early season form was promising:
“VCARB so far, yeah, definitely performing well. I’ve shown good performance first two races. Probably if everything goes well with Australia, China was a bit hectic, and if the strategy, everything goes well, I was probably scoring a lot of points. So it’s good that they’re performing.”
Focusing now on his current team, Tsunoda expressed confidence in the Red Bull car’s potential and his ability to adapt:
“But at the same time now, I’m fully focused on Red Bull, and it’s a car that definitely you can make it work.”
He also emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration and better communication with his engineers:
“I just need, I guess, my opinion, just need more time, build the understanding, work hard to understand, work hard with the engineer as well. I just have to get his point more.”
Divergent Views from Liam Lawson on Red Bull’s Challenges
Not all within Red Bull agree with Brown and Tsunoda’s assessment. Liam Lawson, who opened the 2025 season as Verstappen’s team-mate, failed to score points in his two races and qualified 20th for both China’s Sprint and Grand Prix events. Subsequently, Red Bull decided to send Lawson back to Racing Bulls, promoting Tsunoda to replace him.
The New Zealand driver suggested that Brown’s perspective overlooks deeper issues within Red Bull, stating,
“I don’t think Zak Brown understands.”
Lawson continued,
“It’s easy to comment on stuff when you are not involved and you’re outside of the picture. So, I don’t think he understands.”
Since rejoining Racing Bulls, Lawson has accumulated 12 points and currently ranks above Tsunoda in the Drivers’ standings.
Implications for Red Bull’s Future and the F1 Landscape
The debate over Verstappen’s future highlights Red Bull’s dependence on their star driver’s exceptional performances. If Verstappen moves to Mercedes, the team risks a significant drop in competitiveness, potentially letting Racing Bulls and other competitors close the gap. Tsunoda’s acceptance of this reality and commitment to developing his own capabilities suggest that Red Bull is preparing for changes ahead.
Meanwhile, the continued rivalry and driver reshuffling between Red Bull and Racing Bulls indicate a dynamic and evolving competition for team success in Formula 1. The outcome of Verstappen’s contract negotiations will likely have major repercussions on the championship battles starting in 2026.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Yuki Tsunoda the shortest F1 driver?
A. Yuki Tsunoda stands out as the sole Japanese racer in the lineup. He is the shortest driver at 159 cm and weighs 54 kg. Despite his size, he enjoys eating and frequently talks about his love for food in interviews.