Yuki Tsunoda’s 2025 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster of promise and setbacks. After years of waiting in Red Bull’s junior ranks, he was initially passed over for a seat in favor of Liam Lawson. However, fate reversed quickly, thrusting Tsunoda into the spotlight. While flashes of his talent have shone through, consistency has eluded him amid crashes, penalties, and technical challenges. His story this season is one of struggle but also the potential for a strong finish.
Key Highlights
Tsunoda missed initial promotion, replaced Liam Lawson mid-season.
Qualified fifth in Melbourne and finished sixth in Shanghai early on.
Experienced multiple crashes and penalties impacting performance.
Suffered chassis damage at Imola, affecting races afterward.
Showed signs of improvement in Belgium and Hungary with closer pace to Verstappen.
Early Promise and Unexpected Promotion
Starting the 2025 season, Yuki Tsunoda had to watch as Liam Lawson took the Red Bull seat many expected him to fill. His disappointment was short-lived. Within just two rounds, Lawson was replaced, and Tsunoda was called up. His early races demonstrated his potential: a strong fifth-place qualifying effort in Melbourne and a solid sixth-place finish in Shanghai. These performances hinted that Tsunoda could manage Red Bull’s demanding and less forgiving car better than Lawson.
When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.” – Oscar Wilde, quoted in reflection on Tsunoda’s unexpected promotion
Despite this promising start, Tsunoda narrowly missed points on his debut with the team but rebounded with a ninth-place finish in Bahrain, signaling an upward trend.
Challenges, Crashes, and Penalties
Tsunoda’s momentum faltered with a series of crashes and mistakes that affected his standings. A notable error in Jeddah saw him fail to leave enough space for an overtaking driver, an issue he repeated several times during the season. The most damaging incident occurred at Imola, where a crash on his first flying lap in Q1 destroyed his RB21 chassis, forcing him to run with outdated equipment for several races.
This technical setback contributed to poor performances at Catalunya, the Red Bull Ring, and Silverstone, where he often qualified and finished last. Tsunoda’s errors also led to avoidable penalties. In Canada, he overtook under red flag conditions, and subsequent collisions with Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman further marred his record.
Tsunoda had only himself to blame for the damage he’d done, but other teams might not have left him so far behind on updates for so long.
Signs of Improvement in Belgium and Hungary
Belgium offered a glimpse of redemption for Tsunoda. Receiving a last-minute new floor upgrade, he achieved his best qualifying position with seventh place. Unfortunately, a late pit call on race day robbed him of a potential points finish. Hungary brought mixed results: though only a tenth of a second behind teammate Max Verstappen in Q1, Tsunoda was eliminated in the first qualifying segment for the fourth time this season.
Starting from the pit lane in Hungary, Tsunoda battled technical difficulties including a Gurney flap failure, ultimately finishing 17th. While the result was disappointing, his pace relative to Verstappen was encouraging in an extremely tight field.
If Tsunoda can continue to show much closer performance compared to his world champion team mate over the final phase of the season as he did in Spa and the Hungaroring, then the narrative of his season will likely change significantly with it.
Looking Ahead: Potential for Redemption
The final stretch of the 2025 season presents Tsunoda with an opportunity to reshape perceptions. His ability to keep pace with a dominant teammate like Verstappen, combined with lessons learned from earlier mistakes, could lead to a stronger finish. This improvement would not only boost his confidence but also solidify his place in a fiercely competitive team.
Tsunoda’s journey so far highlights the harsh realities of Formula 1: talent alone is not enough, and every error carries a heavy price. As the season winds down, how he capitalizes on his recent progress will determine if he can truly deliver on the promise that made him a Red Bull prospect.
News in Brief: Yuki Tsunoda’s 2025 F1 Mid-Season Report
Yuki Tsunoda’s 2025 F1 season began with an unexpected mid-season promotion after Liam Lawson’s departure. Early strong showings gave way to crashes, penalties, and technical setbacks including a chassis-damaging crash at Imola. Tsunoda’s results suffered with several last-place finishes and Q1 eliminations. However, recent improvements in Belgium and Hungary show promise, with Tsunoda closing the gap to teammate Max Verstappen. The final races could redefine his season if he maintains this form.
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