Max Verstappen’s performance in Formula 1 continues to underscore the challenges faced by his teammates throughout the current season, demonstrating a stark contrast in ability and results. While not contending for a fifth drivers‘ title this year, Verstappen F1 teammate performance remains a point of discussion due to the Dutchman’s consistent dominance and how it accentuates his colleagues’ difficulties.
The Ongoing Impact of Verstappen’s Dominance on His Teammates
Verstappen has stamped his mark on Formula 1 with four consecutive world championships from 2021 to 2024. His middle two titles were especially commanding, setting back-to-back records for the most wins in a single season. Despite Red Bull Racing enduring upheaval both on and off the track over the past 18 months, Verstappen has still managed to secure pole positions and race victories. This sustained success contrasts sharply with his teammates’ inconsistent results, casting their performances into sharper relief.
Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen’s current teammate, has struggled significantly this season, having accumulated only seven points after joining following the first two rounds. Tsunoda was promoted from Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, after Liam Lawson’s poor early-season showings. Lawson himself was initially earmarked to replace Sergio Perez, who is rumored to be moving to Cadillac for the next season following a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Pressure Mounts on Yuki Tsunoda Amid Team Changes
Since Verstappen’s entry into Red Bull in 2016, the Dutchman has outpaced several teammates including Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and Daniel Ricciardo, making it clear that anyone pairing with him faces immense pressure. Tsunoda now finds himself under significant scrutiny, with the team’s leadership recently changing as Laurent Mekies took over from Christian Horner. Horner’s removal after the British Grand Prix followed a turbulent period for the team, adding further complexity to Tsunoda’s situation as Red Bull prepares for the regulatory shifts expected in 2026.
Laurent Mekies, Tsunoda’s former boss at Racing Bulls, now leads Red Bull and could play a key role in helping the Japanese driver adapt and improve his performance with the senior team. This managerial shift brings some hope for a more supportive environment to nurture Tsunoda’s growth amid the challenges posed by the demanding Red Bull car.
Expert Perspectives on Verstappen and His Teammates’ Performance Gap
Anthony Davidson, former F1 driver and World Endurance Champion, shared insights ahead of Verstappen’s home race at Zandvoort, highlighting how Verstappen’s mastery reveals the gap with his teammates.
Yuki is now in the cycle that Liam was in at Red Bull, and it will be interesting to see if Laurent Mekies can put an arm around Yuki to let him be the driver he can be,
—Anthony Davidson, former F1 driver
Clearly, the Red Bull is a very difficult car to drive, and Max can drive around problems, not all of them, but most. He finds performances others can’t and drives at the limit, but not over it. Other drivers can’t do that; they go just over or stay under the limit, and the car doesn’t like that.
It would be interesting to see what happens if Max were Yuki’s team-mate at Racing Bulls, maybe the difference would then be a lot smaller. But with this car, which is so sensitive, it seems Liam and Yuki are second-class drivers compared to Max, but they are not, in an honest comparison, that is the reality they are in.
The Broader Context of Red Bull’s Team Dynamics and Future Outlook
Verstappen’s continued excellence shines a light on the wider instability at Red Bull, including leadership changes and potential reshuffling of drivers as Sergio Perez looks set to leave. These developments underline a phase of uncertainty for the team, particularly regarding which drivers will fit best with the car’s demanding characteristics as F1 transitions into new regulations.
The scrutiny of teammate performances cannot be seen in isolation but should be understood within the technical challenges of the Red Bull car, known for its sensitivity and high demands on driver skill. Verstappen’s ability to consistently extract peak performance in such conditions sets a very high benchmark.
As the sport moves toward the 2026 regulatory changes, Red Bull will need to balance nurturing young talents like Tsunoda while maintaining competitiveness. The support under Mekies’ leadership could prove crucial in guiding these drivers through the difficult phases they are experiencing, but how this will translate into future race results remains to be seen.
