Yuki Tsunoda Defends Red Bull Performance as F1 Exit Looms
Yuki Tsunoda is reportedly facing an F1 exit, replaced by Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad joining Racing Bulls. Despite recent performance improvements and claims of being 'within two or three-tenths' of Max Verstappen, Tsunoda's struggles to consistently match his teammate's pace have put his career in jeopardy. He defends his progress, noting others also faltered against Verstappen, but his future on the grid looks uncertain.
Yuki Tsunoda is facing an impending exit from the Formula 1 grid at the end of the current season, but not without a final defense of his tenure at Red Bull. RacingNews365 reports that Isack Hadjar is set to replace Tsunoda at Red Bull next year, while Racing Bulls will reportedly retain Liam Lawson and promote rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Why it matters:
Tsunoda's potential departure highlights Red Bull's stringent performance expectations and the intense pressure on drivers in their system. Despite showing recent improvements, his inability to consistently match Max Verstappen's pace has put his F1 career in jeopardy, underscoring the high stakes for any driver aspiring to a top-tier seat.
The Details:
- Tsunoda currently sits 15th in the drivers' championship, a significant gap from teammate Max Verstappen, who is contending for his fifth drivers' title in Abu Dhabi.
- Tsunoda claims he has made significant strides, particularly in the last four races, where he says he's had a car 'almost identical' to Verstappen's.
- Performance Claims: He stated he was consistently within 'two or three-tenths' of Verstappen, even leading him in multiple practice laps in Las Vegas. He also noted finishing ahead of Verstappen in sprint qualifying in Qatar.
- Challenging Teammate: Tsunoda pointed out that other drivers, including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, and Liam Lawson, have also struggled to match Verstappen's pace.
- He believes he has shown more improvement through the season compared to previous Red Bull teammates who also struggled alongside Verstappen.
Between the lines:
While Tsunoda emphasizes his progress and close performance margins, the reality for Red Bull is the ultimate results. Being 'within two or three-tenths' is often not enough to secure a future in their system, especially when a teammate is a multi-world champion. His defense, while highlighting individual gains, might not sway a team focused purely on championship-level contributions.
What's next:
With rumors indicating his seat is likely lost, Tsunoda's final race in Abu Dhabi will be a poignant moment. His future in F1 appears uncertain, potentially marking the end of his tenure unless another team offers him a lifeline. The Red Bull driver program continues its aggressive churn, always seeking the next top talent to support its championship ambitions.