Yuki Tsunoda has been confirmed by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko to remain with the team until the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season, providing some stability amid a difficult year. This assurance comes despite ongoing speculation about driver changes, especially after Tsunoda’s challenging start as Max Verstappen’s teammate in the current campaign.
Following just two race weekends, Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson as Verstappen’s team-mate, highlighting Red Bull’s quick response to Lawson’s early struggles. The New Zealander Lawson failed to make a significant impact, prompting Red Bull to turn to Tsunoda to bolster their driver lineup. Despite this, Tsunoda’s own performances have proved demanding at Red Bull, raising concerns around his adaptation to the RB21 car and his contribution to the team’s championship progress.
Performance pressures and driver comparison in 2025
The contrast between Tsunoda and Verstappen’s results has been stark. Tsunoda has scored only seven points over 10 starts, while Verstappen has amassed an impressive 129 points, including two Grand Prix wins. This disparity has intensified discussions about the potential for another mid-season driver change to strengthen Red Bull’s second car.
However, Marko has firmly dismissed any plans for switching drivers during the year, emphasizing that a change right now “doesn’t make sense.” Instead, the team is focused on supporting Tsunoda’s development, working closely with him to improve consistency and results.
Marko highlighted the team’s approach, saying,
“We had intensive discussions with Yuki, he also works with sports psychologists. We can feel an improvement in his performance and we are optimistic that this will soon be reflected in points.”
This suggests that Red Bull is investing in Tsunoda’s mental and physical preparation to help unlock better performances moving forward.
Tsunoda’s perspective on Marko’s direct approach and ongoing support
Tsunoda has expressed relief at having confirmed status within the team, especially compared to uncertainty he faced before. He acknowledged the pressure but values the direct feedback from Marko and the trust placed in his talent.
“Yes, rather than him saying probably going switch in two races or whatever, for sure,”
Tsunoda said, explaining that despite some tough moments, Marko continues to support him and expects him to prove himself on track.
He described Marko as “just a direct guy,” noting that after bad races, Marko clearly points out what went wrong and what went right. Tsunoda added,
“It’s a kind of pressure that he gives me. Sometimes brings me into the level that I never think about or extracts from me some performance. It’s just the way that he works since when I was a junior, and yeah, I appreciate the amount of support I’m getting so far.”
Challenges adapting to Red Bull’s car and comparison to previous teammates
Tsunoda’s 2025 campaign is unfolding as a test of adaptation to a car that many say demands a deep understanding to be fast consistently. He noted that no recent teammate has quickly adjusted to the RB21, suggesting it often takes at least a full season for drivers to find their rhythm at Red Bull.
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know. It depends on the driver, but also at the same time, I didn’t see yet so far the driver who probably got used to it in that car straight away. So that’s probably the fact,”
he reflected.
In comparison, Verstappen’s five teammates since 2018 have had varying durations, with Pierre Gasly lasting only 12 races before Alex Albon’s 18-month stint, Sergio Perez remaining for four years, and Lawson just two races before being replaced. Tsunoda understands the difficulty but remains confident in his progress
“at least on the short runs”
and pointed to upcoming car upgrades potentially closing the gap to Verstappen’s level over time.
He admitted struggles mostly lie with long-run performance but is exploring new driving techniques.
“I saw a couple of driving styles that I can try that I never tried in my career in Formula 1. It’s just the learning stuff,”
he said. Tsunoda also compared his current experience to his time earlier in his career, when he could push flat out from the start of a session, but in the Red Bull, he has to build confidence gradually.
“But maybe in the Red Bull, I had to build up, which for me is the right approach. I don’t think it’s a wrong approach, but just takes a bit of time. I don’t know if it’s going to take a whole season or not, but at least it’s positive that I’m going in the right direction.”
The future outlook for Tsunoda and Red Bull
While Marko’s explicit commitment to Tsunoda through 2025 eases immediate pressure, the Japanese driver’s future beyond the season remains uncertain. His ability to adapt fully to the demands of Red Bull’s car and deliver consistent points will be critical as the team seeks to maintain championship dominance with Verstappen as their leading driver.
Red Bull’s investment in mental coaching and ongoing driver development underscores how seriously they regard Tsunoda’s potential, but results on track will ultimately dictate his longevity. As the 2025 season progresses, watching how Tsunoda manages the balance between learning and scoring will be crucial to understanding Red Bull’s plans heading into 2026.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Yuki Tsunoda ever win a race?
A. Yuki Tsunoda started his journey to Formula One in 2016. He raced for the first time at the Suzuka round of the Japanese F4 championship. Throughout that series, he claimed victory in 10 races and stood on the podium 18 times. Additionally, he secured 12 pole positions and recorded the fastest lap in five races.
Q. Has Yuki Tsunoda won a race?
A. During the entire series, he claimed victory in 10 races and stood on the podium 18 times. He also earned 12 pole positions and recorded the fastest lap in five races.
Q. Who is the shortest F1 driver? While some drivers tower over the grid, Yuki Tsunoda confidently holds the title of the shortest driver in Formula 1, standing at just 1.59 meters (5 ft 3 in). That makes him a full 27 centimeters shorter than the tallest drivers—Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon.
A. Which F1 driver is the shortest?