Red Bull’s F1 Promotion Blocked: Marko Reveals Yuki Tsunoda’s Challenge
- Following the conclusion of the 2024 season,Red Bull opted to terminate Sergio Perez's contract prematurely and selected Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen's new teammate.
- Yuki Tsunoda amassed 30 points during the 2024 season, finishing 12th in the points standings.
- Regarding this decision, Red Bull racing's motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, suggested in an interview wiht Auto Motor und Sport that Yuki Tsunoda's "entirely unnecessary" mistake at the Mexico...
Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 Career at a Crossroads After Red Bull’s Driver Decision
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Published: 2025-03-13
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season,Red Bull opted to terminate Sergio Perez’s contract prematurely and selected Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s new teammate. This decision places Yuki Tsunoda, a long-time competitor in Red Bull’s secondary team, at a critical juncture in his Formula 1 career.
Yuki Tsunoda amassed 30 points during the 2024 season, finishing 12th in the points standings. Despite outperforming Daniel Ricciardo, who was dismissed mid-season, and Lawson, who served as Ricciardo’s replacement, Red Bull chose to promote Lawson while retaining Tsunoda.
Factors Behind Missing the Red bull Promotion
Regarding this decision, Red Bull racing’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, suggested in an interview wiht Auto Motor und Sport that Yuki Tsunoda’s ”entirely unnecessary” mistake at the Mexico GP the previous year played a role.
During Q2 of qualifying, Yuki Tsunoda was in 8th position after his first lap. However, on his final lap, he locked up the left front tire while braking at the entrance to the stadium section (Turn 12). This resulted in a collision with the barrier on the left side of his car, causing a red flag.
Moreover, in the main race the following day, he made contact with Alex Albon (Williams) while braking at Turn 1. This forced him to retire early, leaving Mexico City without completing a single lap. This incident considerably impacted his chances for promotion within the Red Bull institution.
Yuki Tsunoda (RB Formula 1) crashes into the barrier next to Turn 1 at the Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit, 2024 October 27, F1 Mexico GP, first lap of the final race
While Williams’ representative James Vowles and Albon largely considered the contact an “unfortunate racing accident,” Marko viewed it as a symbolic incident revealing Yuki Tsunoda’s negative traits.
“Tsunda has moments where his emotions explode. It has improved, but it hasn’t completely disappeared.”
“In Mexico last year,with the Red Bull promotion decision looming,he had two completely unnecessary crashes. At that point, he already understood that there was a competition for the Red Bull seat. That means he is still prone to mistakes under pressure.”
Tsunoda’s Strengths and the Qualities Required at Red Bull
Marko acknowledged that Yuki Tsunoda’s speed warrants a Red Bull seat. Though, he pointed out that at Red Bull, which boasts a four-time F1 champion in Max Verstappen, mere speed is insufficient. the team requires drivers who can handle immense pressure and deliver consistent results.
“As far as speed is concerned, there is no doubt about him. But fighting Max means there is always pressure.”
“Even in wet conditions, he is immediately fast.Even when other drivers are still watching,he is already wide open.”
The ability to adapt to pressure is crucial for any Red bull teammate. Without it, drivers will struggle to perform alongside a dominant force like Verstappen.
“Red Bull teammates need the ability to adapt to pressure in such environments. If they can’t, they will struggle.”
Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 Future: Q&A on Red Bull’s Driver Decision
Why wasn’t Yuki Tsunoda promoted to Red Bull Racing?
Red Bull’s decision to replace Sergio Perez with liam Lawson rather of promoting Yuki Tsunoda came down to a few key factors. While Tsunoda demonstrated flashes of speed and even outperformed Daniel Ricciardo (before his dismissal) and Lawson in 2024, concerns about his consistency and ability to handle pressure ultimately hindered his chances.
What role did the 2024 Mexico GP play in Red Bull’s decision?
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, highlighted Tsunoda’s performance at the 2024 Mexico Grand Prix as especially damaging to his promotion prospects. During Q2 of qualifying,Tsunoda crashed,causing a red flag. In the race,he made contact with Alex Albon,leading to his immediate retirement. While the incident with Albon was largely written off as a racing incident, Marko viewed it as emblematic of Tsunoda’s proneness to errors under pressure.
What are Yuki tsunoda’s strengths as an F1 driver?
Despite not getting the Red Bull seat, Yuki Tsunoda has demonstrated clear strengths that have kept him in formula 1. These strengths include:
raw Speed: Marko himself acknowledges Tsunoda’s impressive speed, particularly his ability to be quick even in challenging wet conditions.
Aggressiveness: Tsunoda’s driving style allows him to get up to speed quickly, even when other drivers are more cautious.
What qualities does Red Bull Racing require in a driver that Tsunoda lacks?
Simply being fast isn’t enough to