Tsunoda Regrets Leaving 'Good F***ing Car' at Racing Bulls for Red Bull Move
Yuki Tsunoda admits his only regret about his Red Bull promotion this season is missing out on the 'good f***ing car' he left behind at Racing Bulls. Despite the career advancement, Tsunoda found the RB21 challenging, with a crash at Imola and limited upgrades hindering his performance, ultimately leading to his replacement by Isack Hadjar for 2026, while Racing Bulls' VCARB proved more competitive for its drivers.
Yuki Tsunoda expressed his sole regret about his promotion to Red Bull this season: missing out on what he described as a “good f***ing car” at Racing Bulls. After starting the F1 2025 season with Racing Bulls, Tsunoda was called up to the senior Red Bull team from the Japanese Grand Prix onward, replacing Liam Lawson.
Why it matters:
Yuki Tsunoda's candid admission highlights the inherent challenges of F1's driver development system, particularly within the Red Bull family. Despite achieving his long-sought promotion, his subsequent struggles underscore the fine line between a driver's raw talent and the crucial role of car compatibility and team dynamics in delivering performance. It also raises questions about Red Bull's strategy in shuffling drivers between its two teams and the impact on individual careers and overall team objectives.
The Details:
- Tsunoda started the 2025 season with Racing Bulls before being promoted to Red Bull from the Japanese Grand Prix, replacing Liam Lawson, who had driven the first two races for Red Bull.
- His season at Red Bull was largely disappointing, with his best result being a sixth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
- A significant qualifying crash at Imola reportedly dented his confidence and hindered his access to upgraded parts, setting him back during his Red Bull tenure.
- Tsunoda scored 33 points in 2025, with 30 of those coming from his time at Red Bull. In contrast, Isack Hadjar (51 points) and Liam Lawson (38 points), both driving the Racing Bulls car, outscored him.
- Tsunoda attributes his regret to leaving the VCARB car, which he felt he had helped develop extensively since the current regulations began, viewing it as his 'baby' with his 'DNA inside'.
- Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer commented on the VCARB's performance, stating that 'driveability is performance' with ground effect cars, emphasizing how a stable platform boosts driver confidence.
- Ultimately, Red Bull deemed Tsunoda's pace and development insufficient, leading to his replacement by Isack Hadjar for the 2026 season and a reassignment as a reserve driver within the Red Bull family.
Between the lines:
Tsunoda's comments suggest a significant disconnect between Red Bull's expectations for its senior team drivers and the reality of car performance and development. While a promotion to Red Bull is a career milestone, it appears the RB21 proved to be a more challenging beast for Tsunoda than the Racing Bulls VCARB02, which seemed more forgiving and confidence-inspiring for its drivers. This situation underscores that not all 'promotions' translate to immediate success, especially when a driver's synergy with a specific car design plays such a critical role.
What's next:
Tsunoda will transition to a reserve driver role within the Red Bull family for the 2026 season. His future in a full-time F1 seat remains uncertain, dependent on his ability to demonstrate continued growth and potential from the sidelines, or if other teams take notice. Red Bull, meanwhile, will move forward with Isack Hadjar, hoping for a more competitive pairing alongside Max Verstappen under the new regulation cycle, with eyes on a stronger Constructors' Championship bid.