Yuki Tsunoda was promoted to Red Bull from Racing Bulls after just two grands prix in the 2025 Formula 1 season with the simple target of scoring points and supporting the team against McLaren. However, he struggled with crashes and disappointing finishes post the move, jeopardizing his standing at the cut-throat outfit. Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson at Red Bull after the latter failed to meet the high expectations, following a crash and a 12th place finish in his two races.
Despite managing to outperform Lawson, Tsunoda’s five-race stint with Red Bull only yielded a best finish of 9th and four world championship points, contrasting greatly with teammate Max Verstappen’s two race wins and 88 points. The Imola GP showcased the stark contrast between their performance as Tsunoda crashed in qualifying, starting from the pitlane, while Verstappen secured second place.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner highlighted the importance of Tsunoda’s presence despite his struggles at the Imola GP and credited him for a strong race, though he acknowledged the missed opportunity due to the crash. Tsunoda, shouldering the responsibility for the incident, emphasized the need to build confidence gradually and learn from his mistakes to perform better in the future races.
The recovery drive in Imola, culminating in a 10th place finish, was viewed as a positive step for Tsunoda’s confidence at Red Bull by team management, enhancing his sense of progress within the team dynamics. Although he recognized the need to start higher up the order to contribute effectively to the team’s goals, Tsunoda expressed satisfaction with his perseverance and gradual improvement as he navigated the challenges of competitive racing in Formula 1.
