Red Bull Racing team advisor Helmut Marko commended Yuki Tsunoda for delivering his most impressive performance to date at the 2025 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Marko highlighted that Tsunoda matched the pace of his teammate, Max Verstappen, during key stretches of the race, a remarkable milestone for the Japanese driver eagerly working to prove himself within the team.
Tsunoda’s sixth-place finish marked his highest-ever points haul for Red Bull Racing, signaling significant progress in his career. After a challenging start since joining Red Bull, where he mostly trailed his teammate and struggled to score points, this race hinted at his growing competitiveness, especially when holding off rivals like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
Strong Start and Consistent Pace Secure Key Points in Baku
Yuki Tsunoda began the race well, starting from sixth on the grid thanks to a solid qualifying session. Early in the race, both Norris and Leclerc attempted to overtake him but failed, while Oscar Piastri was forced out after an incident on the first lap. Tsunoda maintained his position throughout, ultimately finishing sixth and earning eight valuable points.
Dr. Helmut Marko emphasized that Tsunoda’s lap times were occasionally nearly identical to Verstappen’s, a high benchmark within the team. This pace parity demonstrated that Tsunoda was capable of competing closely with one of the sport’s leading drivers, underscoring his improvement in performance and racecraft.
The achievement was especially meaningful for the 25-year-old, who has endured comparisons to Verstappen throughout the 2025 season but had often fallen short. Tsunoda appeared pleased with his results in Baku, recognizing the importance of securing strong points as the season progressed.
Yuki Tsunoda Reflects on Progress Since Italian Grand Prix
Despite Red Bull Racing encountering some challenges this season, Max Verstappen has secured four victories, including two significant wins at Monza and Baku since Laurent Mekies assumed team leadership. Verstappen’s consistency has kept him in championship contention even as the team adjusts.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, acknowledged working hard to close the gap to his teammate. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he spoke openly about improvements made since the Italian Grand Prix. He attributed these gains to changes in his approach and additional training sessions focused on both simulator work and race preparation.
“I unlocked something [in Monza], which I proved in FP2 and long-runs as well,” Tsunoda said. “I just started, kind of, this approach and obviously quality is not on a level that probably Max is doing now.”
– Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Driver
“But step by step. I think [I] was not at least as far [behind] as I had been in the previous race week. So definitely positive. I think also it shows some improvement for myself, that I put some effort over the weeks to put in extra work, to do some extra simulator work. And I think that pays off for a little bit. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.”
– Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Driver
These encouraging remarks reveal Tsunoda’s determination to maintain steady progress and his awareness that closing in on Verstappen’s performance will be gradual but achievable with continued effort.
Red Bull’s Championship Hopes Remain Challenged Despite Individual Gains
Although Tsunoda’s points boost was welcome, Red Bull Racing still faces uphill battles in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship. Currently fourth with 272 points, the team remains 14 points behind Ferrari, their closest rival for third place. While Verstappen’s victories keep the team competitive, overtaking Ferrari for second in the standings is the more immediate goal.
Maintaining steady performances from both drivers will be crucial moving forward, as every point counts in the tight championship race. Tsunoda’s ability to deliver consistent results at high-profile events like Baku serves not only as a personal milestone but also as a potential catalyst to help the team close gaps in the standings.
Looking ahead, Red Bull will focus on building momentum during the upcoming races, hoping that the combination of Verstappen’s winning form and Tsunoda’s improving pace can elevate the team’s position. Their performance in the final stages of the season will determine whether they can challenge Ferrari more seriously or solidify fourth place.
