Helmut Marko has spoken openly following the end of Yuki Tsunoda’s tenure at Red Bull, shedding light on the Japanese driver’s future and explaining the team’s decision. With both Marko and Tsunoda departing from Milton Keynes, the Austrian advisor didn’t hold back. After commenting on his tensions with Christian Horner and the underlying issues within the team, he also shared his perspective on the 25-year-old driver from Sagamihara, describing him as a “luxury reserve” who will continue to contribute, particularly to the Faenza squad.
A time of transition at Red Bull
The 2025 season marks a major shift for Red Bull, as it brings an end to the fruitful collaboration with Helmut Marko, the legendary “super advisor” closely tied to Max Verstappen. The team in Milton Keynes is now focusing on stability and can no longer accommodate Marko’s prominent role. Controversial comments about Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Qatar and a secret negotiation with Alex Dunne may have also played a part in the change.
New faces will take to the track in 2026: Isack Hadjar has been promoted to partner the four-time world champion, while Arvid Lindblad will make his debut in Faenza. Unfortunately, this leaves Yuki Tsunoda out of a full-time race seat, as he struggled to adapt to the RB21 throughout the 2025 season, finishing behind both Red Bull Racing drivers in the championship standings.
Marko on Tsunoda: “A matter of DNA”
Now sidelined, Yuki Tsunoda will serve as a reserve driver for both Milton Keynes and Faenza. Speaking to RacingNews365, Helmut Marko explained the team’s decision: “It was difficult for him; he was very disappointed. We explained that he would remain part of our family. Being a reserve for four cars still provides plenty of opportunities.”
Helmut Marko added, “But Racing Bulls is our team for young talent. This would have been his sixth season, and those two things just don’t fit together. It’s not aligned with the DNA of Racing Bulls.”
As Yuki Tsunoda transitions into his reserve role, the Japanese driver will have the chance to support multiple cars and continue developing within the Red Bull ecosystem, while the team introduces new drivers to the forefront of its Formula 1 program.
Helmut Marko’s comments provide a stark and revealing insight into Red Bull’s philosophy: the Racing Bulls team exists strictly as a proving ground for the next generation, making Tsunoda’s extensive tenure incompatible with its “DNA.” While Tsunoda gains a crucial reserve role for four seats, his displacement by promising talents like Lindblad and Hadjar confirms the ruthlessly competitive nature of the Red Bull driver ladder.
Leave a Reply