Red Bull: Yuki Tsunoda makes candid admission ahead of 2025 F1 Hungarian GP. Yuki Tsunoda admits frustration over lack of results despite car improvements..

Yuki Tsunoda, currently competing in his fourth season in Formula 1, has made a surprisingly candid admission during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. The Japanese driver, who races for RB (the Red Bull junior team, formerly AlphaTauri), acknowledged that while his car has improved since the beginning of the 2025 season, the lack of tangible results is becoming increasingly frustrating.

Progress with the car, but results still lacking
Tsunoda confirmed that the RB car is handling better than it was during the early stages of the season, showing notable signs of progress in both qualifying and race pace. However, he was quick to point out that translating that improvement into meaningful results has been difficult. One of the key issues he highlighted is that he has never managed to progress into Q3—the final qualifying session—using just one set of tyres, suggesting that the car still lacks immediate pace and that he struggles to unlock its full potential within a short window of time.

In addition, Tsunoda noted that in long races, he often finds himself stuck behind other cars in traffic. This prevents him from running clean laps and makes it hard to accurately evaluate his true race pace or how much performance the car genuinely has to offer in clear air.

A critical moment for Yuki Tsunoda’s future
The Hungarian Grand Prix represents an important opportunity for Yuki Tsunoda to demonstrate his value to the Red Bull driver program. While he has been confirmed for the rest of the 2025 Formula 1 season, his future beyond this year remains uncertain. The Red Bull organization is known for its high-pressure environment and rapid driver changes, so even a secured seat is no guarantee of long-term stability. For Tsunoda, this means that every race counts when it comes to proving he deserves to remain in Formula 1 for the 2026 season and beyond.

Yuki Tsunoda on Belgian GP: ‘DRS wasn’t enough to close the gap’
Recalling the previous weekend’s race at Spa-Francorchamps, Yuki Tsunoda shared a specific example of the challenges he faces in wheel-to-wheel combat. During the Belgian Grand Prix, he attempted an aggressive strategy at the start in an effort to overtake Alpine driver Pierre Gasly. Despite pushing hard and deploying DRS (Drag Reduction System) to gain a speed advantage on the straights, Tsunoda said he was unable to get close enough to make a move.

“I spent the entire lap behind him, used DRS, but still couldn’t close the gap. The speed difference was too significant,” he explained, pointing out how fiercely contested the midfield battles have become in modern Formula 1.

This moment illustrates the incredibly tight competition in the second half of the grid, where just a few metres can mean the difference between gaining or losing several positions. In such an environment, small margins and consistency become key. Yuki Tsunoda acknowledged this reality, emphasizing that the team must continue to apply the same working methods and focus on consistent performance rather than relying on bold or risky overtakes.

Frustration mounting, but belief in the project remains
Speaking to the media during Thursday’s sessions—including outlets like F1inGenerale—Tsunoda reiterated his belief in the team’s long-term project and expressed confidence in the progress being made internally. However, he did not hide his disappointment at the lack of visible rewards.

“It’s frustrating not to see numerical results in the standings, but inside the garage, I do feel I’m making progress,” Tsunoda said. “My confidence has grown, especially thanks to the support I’ve received from the team. A lot of the work we’re doing right now doesn’t reflect directly on the timing screens, but it’s there in how much better the car feels to drive.”

As the Red Bull family begins to shift more of its attention toward the 2026 regulation changes—which will bring an entirely new generation of Formula 1 cars—Tsunoda’s role becomes even more important. Both he and the team must continue focusing on building a solid foundation that can allow them to fight for top positions in the constructors’ championship in the seasons to come.