Red Bull has effectively become a single-leader team. Since the arrival of Max Verstappen, the Austrian squad has rarely been able to rely on two equally competitive cars. Sergio Perez attempted it during his early period at Milton Keynes, as did Liam Lawson, who was dropped after just two races this year. Even Yuki Tsunoda has struggled to match the pace of the four-time world champion.
The challenge is twofold: in the Drivers’ Championship, a teammate is needed to support SuperMax and secure vital points against rivals; in the Constructors’ Championship, despite two cars seemingly less competitive than the RB21, both Ferrari and Mercedes remain formidable opponents precisely because they can count on both drivers. The 2026 seat, the year of a major technical revolution, is still very much undecided.
Tsundona question: Laurent Mekies’ assessment
After the Austin Grand Prix, Red Bull’s team principal commented on the Japanese driver’s performance: “We always want more. I cannot say that what Yuki has done is enough. Nobody believes that, not even him. He has had two good races, completed some positive comebacks, and these are important improvements compared to what he has done over the season.”
“Is it enough for us? No, I would be lying if I said so, and Yuki would not be happy. He can still play a role in this World Championship. It is very important for us that he is fast,” concluded Laurent Mekies.
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