The spotlight intensifies on Yuki Tsunoda as recent qualifying performances raise questions, yet Red Bull Racing’s leadership has unequivocally reaffirmed their commitment to the young Japanese driver.
Despite a challenging Q1 exit at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Tsunoda finished 16th, team principal Laurent Mekies has made it clear that replacing him is not on the team’s agenda for the current Formula 1 season.
Tsunoda himself has acknowledged the car’s inherent balance is satisfactory, but points to a critical issue: a significantly low grip level that has hampered his ability to extract optimal driver performance from the Red Bull F1 machine.
This ongoing struggle marks a difficult period for the rising Formula 1 talent, who has not managed to score a single point for Red Bull Racing since his tenth-place finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, fueling questions about his recent form.
With questions mounting over his recent run of form and his position for the 2025 F1 season, Mekies echoed sentiments previously expressed by Christian Horner, emphasizing that Tsunoda’s role in the team is secure and his development remains a priority.
Mekies stressed the Red Bull team’s primary objective regarding the second seat: “The priority is to give Yuki what he needs to perform,” indicating a focused effort on driver development rather than immediate personnel changes after a Grand Prix weekend.
This strategic approach underscores Red Bull’s long-term investment in their drivers, aiming to provide the necessary tools and support to overcome performance hurdles on the demanding Grand Prix circuit, which is crucial for overall team success.
Tsunoda’s own assessment suggests a subtle step forward, noting that even though he was eliminated in Q1, his gap to Max Verstappen, who was also under pressure in that session, was a mere 0.163 seconds, highlighting a narrow performance margin.
The team’s collective concentration remains squarely on enabling Yuki Tsunoda to maximize his potential, reinforcing their belief in his capabilities for future races in the highly competitive F1 season and beyond.
