Formula 1 is known for its high speed and high stakes, but sometimes even the most promising drivers face tough times. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing’s rookie driver, is currently going through the worst run of form in the team’s 21-year history. Since joining the team in 2025, Tsunoda has struggled to make an impact, facing a series of disappointing finishes and challenges on the track.
Tsundoa was promoted from Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, after just two races in 2025. Honda, a key partner for Red Bull, had pushed for his early promotion during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. At first, there was optimism about the young driver’s future. However, things did not go as smoothly as hoped.
Yuki Tsunoda’s Shaky Start
Since his debut with Red Bull, Tsunoda has failed to score points in seven consecutive races, setting an unwanted record for the team. His last points finish was a 10th place at Imola in May, but after that, his results have been poor, with finishes well outside the top 15 in many races, including a 17th place in the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, where he also qualified poorly.
Big Shoes To Fill
One of the biggest issues has been his struggle to keep pace with his teammate Max Verstappen, who is a four-time world champion and dominant figure in F1. The gap between their performances has been large, though recently, Tsunoda has managed to close this gap somewhat during qualifying sessions, showing signs of progress. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, the margin between Tsunoda and Verstappen was the closest it has been in four years, which was a small but important positive.
Despite some improvements in qualifying, Yuki Tsunoda’s race pace has often been hampered by bad luck, collisions, and damage to his car. For example, at the Hungarian GP, he suffered damage early in the race that cost him a lot of speed, making it impossible to move up the field.
Why Does This Matter?
This streak of poor results is especially concerning for Red Bull because, without Verstappen’s points, the team would be at the bottom of the standings. Tsunoda has contributed only a small fraction of the team’s overall points this season, highlighting the team’s struggles when relying on their second driver. Red Bull’s recent upgrades to its car have helped, and looking ahead, the team is already planning changes for next season.
Although reports suggest they might not renew Yuki Tsunoda’s contract after 2025, as the team aims for stronger overall performance to keep competing for championships.
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