Yuki Tsunoda has acknowledged that he is currently “two steps behind” Max Verstappen regarding car upgrades, a situation contributing to his difficulties in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Since joining Red Bull before the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda has managed to score points only three times, highlighting the challenge of keeping pace with his teammate.
Tsunoda’s ongoing challenges with Red Bull’s RB20 car
After his promotion to Red Bull, Tsunoda’s performance has lagged, even falling behind Liam Lawson, the driver he replaced, following the Austrian Grand Prix. Like those who came before him, Tsunoda has struggled to adapt effectively to the RB20, Red Bull’s 2025 car. Unlike Sergio Perez, who has driven a competitive winning car, Tsunoda has yet to experience similar success this season.
Tsunoda’s difficulties were most apparent at the British Grand Prix, where he finished last among classified finishers after receiving a 10-second penalty for a collision. Verstappen also faced issues at Silverstone due to Red Bull’s risky setup choices, which did not yield the intended performance gains. However, Tsunoda remains behind Verstappen in terms of car upgrades, which has hindered his ability to close the gap on track.
Upcoming opportunities and limitations at the Belgian Grand Prix
The next chance for Tsunoda to catch up comes at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he will receive all the latest upgrade parts. However, the weekend format poses additional challenges, as this event includes a sprint race, allowing only 60 minutes of practice time to fine-tune the car’s setup. Tsunoda expressed cautious optimism about the improvements but highlighted the tight timeframe to adjust.
At least I’m going to have upgrades next weekend,
Tsunoda said.
Currently, I’m two steps behind in terms of the package compared to Max, so that will for sure help for the next race.
So the only time I can adjust with the floor will be [during] one free practice, but I’ll do my best.
—Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull driver
Uncertainty surrounds Tsunoda’s Formula 1 future amid competition
There are growing doubts about Tsunoda’s prospects of retaining his Red Bull seat for the following season. Red Bull’s junior academy has shown promising talent, with Isack Hadjar impressing team management and Arvid Lindblad appearing set for a 2026 F1 debut. Tsunoda’s best chance to remain on the grid could involve dramatically improving his performance with Red Bull or securing a seat with Cadillac.
However, Cadillac seems to prefer Sergio Perez or Valtteri Bottas as their leading driver choices, making Tsunoda’s path forward less clear. The driver’s capability to overcome the current upgrade gap and capitalize on upcoming opportunities will be critical to his continuing presence in the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Max Verstappen a billionaire?
A. Many sources estimate Max Verstappen’s net worth to be around $210 million.
