Yuki Tsunoda’s 2025 Formula 1 season has seen a mixture of strong performances and setbacks, but the Japanese driver remains resolute in improving his results. Instead of taking a planned holiday, Tsunoda dedicated himself to extensive simulator work at Red Bull Racing’s facility in Milton Keynes, aiming to regain momentum and sharpen his skills.
After joining Red Bull Racing following just two rounds this season, Tsunoda stepped up from the team’s junior outfit, Racing Bulls, to replace Liam Lawson. He started his tenure positively, scoring points in four of his first five races for Red Bull. However, a difficult run followed, with seven consecutive races failing to yield a top-10 finish, pushing him towards the lower end of the driver standings.
The turning point arrived during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Tsunoda’s 17th-place finish contrasted sharply with teammate Max Verstappen’s ninth place in challenging conditions for the RB21 car. Instead of heading back home to Japan during the summer break, Tsunoda chose to remain in the UK, focusing on simulator sessions with the Red Bull squad to improve his driving and car setup.
Dedicated Simulator Efforts Impress Team Leadership
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull’s sporting director, praised Tsunoda’s commitment to overcoming his difficulties during this period. Speaking at the Baku Grand Prix, Mekies emphasized the driver’s hard work and determination.
“He’s listening and it’s good. I’m very happy for him. He’s working very hard. He has never backed off working hard. After the tough, tough time in Budapest, he came straight to the simulator instead of going on his holiday. Every weekend when he’s not racing, he’s working somewhere with his engineers or on his driving. I’m very happy for him that he’s shown progress.”
— Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Sporting Director
This dedicated approach allowed Tsunoda to identify key areas where he needed to adapt his driving style and car characteristics. His return to competition after the break at the Dutch Grand Prix was marked by a points finish, his first outside the top 10 in eight races. He acknowledged that the simulator work was instrumental in finding solutions.
“Something I changed on the car seems to be working really well, and obviously there is some fine-tuning with my driving as well that I’ve worked quite hard to improve. I wanted to find the reason why I was so much behind, and I tried multiple sim sessions. Then I found something, and when I applied it to this track it seems to be working very well,”
— Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Driver
Technical Upgrades Boost Red Bull’s Competitiveness
Tsunoda’s improved performance coincided with key technical enhancements to the RB21. At Monza, Red Bull introduced a redesigned floor that better managed airflow beneath the car, complemented by re-profiled edges to increase downforce and trimmed wings to reduce drag. These adjustments enhanced the car’s balance and speed.
Further refining their package, Red Bull adjusted the rear wing at Baku, reshaping its elements to optimize downforce. This upgrade benefited both Verstappen and Tsunoda by providing a more competitive platform, allowing the Japanese driver to display greater confidence on track.
Breakthrough Performance at Baku Signals New Confidence
Tsunoda delivered his best outing with Red Bull at the Baku City Circuit, a demanding street track known for its challenges. He reached Q3 with a 1:42.143 lap in a session interrupted by a red flag, earning sixth on the starting grid, positioned just behind the duo of Mercedes drivers.
Starting the race on hard tires, Tsunoda gained early positions, overtaking George Russell and holding fifth place through the initial laps. Tactical pit stop calls played a vital role in the race outcome. When Lando Norris pitted early on mediums, Tsunoda responded with a timely stop, allowing him to rejoin ahead of the McLaren driver. Despite a late-race push from Norris, Tsunoda maintained sixth place, marking his best result since joining the team.
Reflecting on the race, Tsunoda expressed how the car updates and his off-track efforts contributed to this breakthrough.
“Scoring my best result with the team feels deserved. We put ourselves in a great position yesterday in Qualifying and we wanted to capitalize on that with the good promise that we showed in the long runs in practice… The changes that we’ve made to the car have really worked this weekend and it allowed us to be more competitive than we have been on race days previously. I came into Baku having put in a lot of hard work off track to extract as much performance as possible and today was a step in the right direction. I feel like I have unlocked something that I can take into future races.”
— Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Driver
Looking Ahead: Tsunoda’s Position Amidst Rising Competition
With seven races left in the 2025 season, Tsunoda’s recent progress arrives at a critical juncture for Red Bull. The team faces challenging decisions regarding its driver lineup for 2026, as there are five drivers competing for only four seats. Rising talents like Isack Hadjar and newcomer Arvid Lindblad add complexity to the selection process.
Tsunoda’s strong showing in Baku and his relentless simulator work highlight his potential to remain a valuable asset for Red Bull. His ability to adjust and improve amid pressure underscores his ongoing relevance within the team’s plans.
As the season progresses, Tsunoda’s focus on technical development and consistent performances will be essential to solidify his place in Formula 1’s competitive landscape. The Japanese driver’s journey exemplifies resilience and dedication in the pursuit of racing excellence.
