Yuki Tsunoda has directed subtle criticism toward Red Bull Racing, questioning whether he and reigning World Champion Max Verstappen are truly being given equal machinery. According to the Japanese driver, the differences in car specifications suggest that direct comparisons between the two are unfair and potentially misleading.
For several years now, Red Bull has consistently been able to maximize the performance of just one of its two cars. None of the drivers who have been placed in the second seat at Red Bull Racing have managed to match the level of performance and consistency displayed by the four-time World Champion Max Verstappen.
In 2025, this trend has become even more evident, particularly with the RB21 proving to be a complex and often unpredictable car to handle. Even Max Verstappen himself has voiced complaints nearly every race weekend, often reporting new and varying issues with the car’s behavior. Despite this, the Dutch driver has continued to extract strong results from the car, maintaining his dominant status within the team.
Currently, the second Red Bull seat is occupied by Yuki Tsunoda, who replaced Liam Lawson at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. However, the Japanese driver has encountered numerous challenges and has struggled to make a significant impact. In recent races, he has failed to finish in the points, with only three top-ten results since his promotion to the main team.
At the Belgian Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda received a slightly more updated version of the car’s floor. That weekend, he managed to reach Q3 for the first time since the Miami Grand Prix. Unfortunately, due to a team communication error during the race, he was unable to secure a points finish. Still, the overall performance suggested some improvements in pace and control.
Laurent Mekies, one of the team’s key figures, publicly took responsibility for the mishap in Spa. However, there are still lingering questions about the equipment being allocated to Tsunoda. It has come to light that even the “updated” floor given to the Japanese driver was not built to the same specifications as the one used by Max Verstappen. As the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend approaches, several components on Yuki Tsunoda’s RB21 remain outdated, including the front wing.
Yuki Tsunoda’s remarks: “Let’s see if they give me the same car”
During Thursday’s media sessions ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, Yuki Tsunoda addressed the current challenges he is facing within the Red Bull Racing environment.
The Japanese driver explained, “Missing out on points is obviously far from ideal. But one thing that gives me some reassurance is that, from my engineering side and with my side of the garage, we are aware of the progress we’re making. We can see we’re developing a more precise pace.”
Although Yuki Tsunoda is confirmed to remain with the team until the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the gap in performance between himself and Max Verstappen remains substantial. The expectations within Red Bull are notoriously high, as Tsunoda’s predecessors have also experienced, and having to compete against an elite-level teammate like Max Verstappen only increases the pressure.
“His ability to deliver consistent performance in every session, every single Grand Prix, is really impressive,” Yuki Tsunoda continued. “That’s not something you can easily do. And he just makes it look effortless, like it comes naturally to him.”
However, Tsunoda was quick to point out that comparisons between himself and Verstappen should be avoided. “At the same time, I don’t think it’s fair to draw direct comparisons. And I’m not interested in making those comparisons. He’s been in that car for nine years, and I’ve only just stepped into it,” the Red Bull driver emphasized.
Finally, Yuki Tsunoda concluded with a thinly veiled jab at the team’s internal decisions: “And besides… well, let’s see if they actually give me the exact same car. Until that happens, I can’t make a proper comparison. Until then, I’ll just focus on myself, because I clearly know what I can improve. I’m moving forward in my own way, step by step.”
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