Red Bull believes in Verstappen’s title hopes, Tsunoda reveals: “I was not supposed to help Norris”
Max Verstappen has never missed a chance to prove his worth in Formula 1, showing that he remains the ultimate difference-maker on the grid. Even in 2025, a season where Red Bull no longer has the outright car to beat, the Dutch driver continues to underline his immense talent. He has positioned himself as the only man capable of challenging the dominant McLaren outfit. This has been evident several times throughout the season, but the clearest examples came with his stunning victories in Monza and Baku. In both races, Verstappen delivered performances worthy of a standing ovation, extracting every ounce of potential from a Red Bull that rediscovered form after the summer break.
Could Verstappen really fight for the title?
Following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a question began circulating in the Baku paddock among insiders: can Max Verstappen and Red Bull realistically think about winning the Formula 1 drivers’ championship this year? The challenge is daunting, with the four-time world champion still trailing the championship leader by 69 points. Just weeks ago such a comeback seemed impossible, yet after recent results it now looks difficult but no longer unthinkable. Verstappen, however, has been keen to downplay expectations. In his public statements, he has consistently insisted on a race-by-race approach, avoiding long-term predictions and calming speculation. But while Verstappen plays the firefighter, his teammate Yuki Tsunoda has been more candid.
Tsunoda’s revelation
In Baku, Yuki Tsunoda produced his strongest performance so far as a Red Bull driver, finishing in sixth place. He crossed the line ahead of Lando Norris in the McLaren and just behind Liam Lawson in the Racing Bulls, a car he followed closely but never overtook for fifth position. On the surface, it appeared Tsunoda chose caution to protect a strong result, but the Japanese driver admitted there was more behind his decision.
According to Tsunoda, his hesitation was not about fear of losing a good finish, but rather about preventing a scenario that could have benefited McLaren. With Norris close behind, an attempted move on Lawson risked allowing McLaren through, costing Red Bull valuable points. This revelation highlights that inside Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters, there is still genuine belief in the possibility of a heroic Verstappen comeback. It also reflects how much importance the team places on both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings, with the fight for second in the teams’ championship still wide open.
Tsunoda explained after the race that his decisions were guided by the bigger picture. He admitted that he was thinking about both the drivers’ championship for Verstappen and the constructors’ championship for Red Bull. “There were many opportunities to attack Lawson,” Tsunoda revealed, “but there was a risk that the McLaren would overtake us both and gain another position.” His words confirm that Red Bull continues to manage its strategy with Verstappen’s title hopes in mind, even when the Dutch driver is not directly involved in the on-track battles.
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