Yuki Tsunoda has competed in nine grands prix with Red Bull after replacing Liam Lawson’s Formula 1 seat for the Japanese Grand Prix. However, his performance has been underwhelming, with only seven points compared to Max Verstappen’s 119. Tsunoda’s qualifying results have not been promising either, starting from low grid positions in recent races.
Despite the pressure, Red Bull attributes the issues to structural problems within the team rather than the drivers. Team advisor Helmut Marko insists Tsunoda will finish the season with Red Bull. The focus now seems to be on avoiding costly crashes to preserve the development budget under the cost cap.
With no immediate alternatives ready to replace Tsunoda, Red Bull is opting for a more measured approach to support and rebuild his confidence. The team acknowledges the disparities between their cars and plans to work on helping Tsunoda improve. The recent struggles highlight the emphasis on car performance over driver skills.
