P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull says Yuki Tsunoda’s performances are still ‘not good enough’ ahead of the likely crunch decision weekend for finalising its 2026 F1 line-up
Red Bull Formula 1 boss Laurent Mekies has acknowledged that Yuki Tsunoda’s performances are still “not good enough” as they finalize their 2026 driver line-up.
Tsunoda matched his best return of the season by scoring points in both the sprint and main races at the United States Grand Prix, finishing seventh in the grand prix.
Despite his strong starts, Tsunoda still finished 52 seconds behind his teammate Max Verstappen at the race in Austin.
Mekies stressed the need for improvement, mentioning the continuing struggle of Tsunoda to balance one-lap pace with sustainable race pace.
Tsunoda admitted to being overcautious with tyre management in the grand prix, citing difficulties in feeling the limit on the track.
His competitive initial runs on harder compounds contrast with the challenges he faces on softer tires, raising concerns about the team’s overall performance in the constructors’ championship.
