Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing driver and teammate of Max Verstappen, recently unveiled compelling insights into Verstappen’s distinctive ability to handle the RB21, Red Bull’s formidable vehicle for the 2025 season. Speaking at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend, Tsunoda stressed Verstappen’s exceptional sensitivity and profound understanding of the RB21 dynamics, attributes that have steered him to outstanding qualifying performances and race wins, even amidst the car’s challenging nature.
The Japanese driver drew attention to the remarkable actions during the qualifying session of the Japanese Grand Prix earlier in the season, where Verstappen secured pole position, ultimately clinching victory that weekend. Tsunoda confessed his admiration for Verstappen’s intuition and adaptability, noting his own journey in mastering the RB21, starting with a 15th position during the qualifying in Japan, which he improved to a 12th-place race finish.
While Tsunoda continues to become acclimated to the RB21’s demands, his performance in subsequent races has highlighted his growing proficiency. Notably, during the following weekend in Sakhir, Tsunoda achieved a commendable ninth-place finish, securing points alongside Verstappen for the team, marking a significant achievement with both Red Bulls scoring during that series.
Tsunoda encountered challenges during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when an early clash with Pierre Gasly ended his race prematurely, despite a strong eighth-place qualifying achievement. Nonetheless, the Japanese driver expressed satisfaction with his current standing within the team compared to Verstappen, recognizing the efforts made by the Red Bull Racing team to ensure both cars perform optimally.
Reflecting on their comparable driving styles, Tsunoda noted the valuable insights gained from observing Verstappen’s technique. In the Bahrain Grand Prix prior, Tsunoda finished three places behind the reigning champion, achieving a ninth-place spot while Verstappen secured sixth, illustrating their concurrent development.
Yuki Tsunoda’s revelations offer a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of team collaboration and competition within Red Bull Racing. As Tsunoda continues his evolution and adaptation to the RB21, his rapport and competition with Verstappen enrich the narrative of both drivers striving towards excellence, setting a thrilling tone for future races and seasons.
