Villeneuve: Tsunoda Should Be 'Thankful' For His Red Bull F1 Career
Jacques Villeneuve, a former F1 champion, claims Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull demotion was long expected and that he should be "thankful" for his F1 career. Villeneuve attributes Tsunoda's exit to being outshone by Max Verstappen and the rise of new talent, emphasizing that competing alongside a driver of Verstappen's caliber is exceptionally challenging. He suggests Tsunoda's future success will likely be in Japanese racing, where he has achieved star status.
Yuki Tsunoda's demotion from a Red Bull Racing seat to test and reserve driver was "old news" and "predictable," according to 1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve. Villeneuve believes Tsunoda should be grateful for his extensive F1 career, emphasizing that his fate was sealed long ago due to being overshadowed by Max Verstappen and the emergence of talents like Isack Hadjar.
Why it matters:
- Villeneuve's frank assessment highlights Red Bull's ruthless driver development philosophy and the immense pressure placed on young talents, particularly when paired with a generational driver like Max Verstappen.
- His comments shed light on the difficult reality for drivers struggling to secure a long-term future in F1, especially within a system known for its high turnover.
The Details:
- Predictable Demotion: Villeneuve stated that Tsunoda's exit was anticipated "months ago," with Liam Lawson being the only remaining question mark regarding his replacement.
- Honda's Stance: He suggested that even engine partner Honda was not "super positive" about Tsunoda's continued presence, implying a lack of strong support from a key ally.
- Tsunoda's Defense: Last weekend in Qatar, Tsunoda argued his case, claiming he had recently been able to get closer to Verstappen's performance than previous teammates.
- He emphasized his ability to make significant progress "in the middle of the season" despite "very, very difficult moments."
- Gratitude Recommended: Villeneuve believes Tsunoda should view his five-year F1 career as a success, not a failure.
- "Tsunoda should be happy, thankful that he's had such a long and fruitful career in the first place. He got his chance, it did not work out," Villeneuve said.
- He also noted that Tsunoda has become a "big name" and a "star in Japan," securing a prosperous future in racing, potentially in his home country.
- Verstappen's Shadow: Villeneuve dismissed the idea that Tsunoda's struggles reflected poorly on him, attributing it to the challenge of competing alongside a driver of Max Verstappen's caliber.
- He drew parallels to legendary drivers like Senna, Mansell, Piquet, Prost, Schumacher, and Alonso, asserting that it has always been tough to be next to such extraordinary talents.
The Big Picture:
Red Bull's approach to driver selection and retention remains consistent: prioritize raw potential and be prepared to make tough calls. The direct promotion of young drivers like Arvid Lindblad, alongside Hadjar's move, reinforces this high-stakes strategy.
What's next:
While Tsunoda transitions to a reserve role, Red Bull's new crop of talent, including Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad, will face the same intense scrutiny and pressure. Their ability to adapt and perform quickly will determine their longevity within Red Bull's unforgiving system. For Tsunoda, a potential return to Japanese racing could offer a new chapter, capitalizing on the star status he has built during his F1 tenure.