Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has sharply criticized Yuki Tsunoda’s recent form, describing the Japanese driver as slow and blaming his performance for the team’s declining ambitions in the constructors’ championship. Marko expressed that Red Bull’s hopes for the title have significantly diminished because of Tsunoda’s inability to deliver strong race results.
Performance Contrast Between Tsunoda and Verstappen Highlights Team’s Problems
Since joining Red Bull in March as a replacement for Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda has struggled to leave a mark, earning only seven points over seven race weekends. This stands in stark contrast to his teammate Max Verstappen, who has collected 101 points in the same timeframe, underlining the considerable gap in contribution and pace between the two drivers.
Despite maintaining a better position in the drivers’ standings than Lawson, Tsunoda is trailing rookie Isack Hadjar by 11 points. These performance issues have contributed to Red Bull falling 218 points behind the leading McLaren team in the constructors’ championship.
Marko Challenges Tsunoda’s Consistency and Future at Red Bull
Marko did not hold back when addressing Tsunoda’s struggles, pointing to the driver’s failure to produce steady results as a major concern. With only one point earned across the last three races, questions now arise over Tsunoda’s potential long-term place within the Red Bull squad.
Despite ongoing speculation about changes to the driver lineup, Marko has publicly confirmed the team‘s intention to keep Tsunoda for the remainder of the 2025 season to maintain some level of continuity. While Hadjar’s recent performances have impressed many, Red Bull appears to be holding off on major decisions involving its driver roster at this time.
Uncertain Future for Tsunoda Amid Contract Expiry and Team Pressure
With Tsunoda’s contract expiring at the season’s end, rumors about possible new drivers joining Red Bull in 2026 continue to circulate. As the team navigates this challenging period, the spotlight is firmly on Tsunoda to improve his performance and secure his position within the competitive world of Formula 1.
The mounting pressure on Tsunoda to perform and silence critics highlights the critical nature of his current season. Whether he can turn his fortunes around and safeguard his future at Red Bull remains uncertain, reflecting the high stakes and intense scrutiny drivers face in the sport.
“Red Bull has already given up on their title aspirations due to Tsunoda’s lackluster results on the track.” —Helmut Marko, Red Bull Advisor
“Marko did not mince his words when addressing Tsunoda’s recent struggles, criticizing the Japanese racer for his inability to deliver consistent results.” —Helmut Marko, Red Bull Advisor
