Yuki Tsunoda criticizes Red Bull’s development strategy
Yuki Tsunoda has pointed the finger at former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner for making his 2025 campaign “particularly difficult” through a decision to channel all development resources towards Max Verstappen, reports BritPanorama.
Initially promoted to partner Verstappen following Liam Lawson’s demotion after two rounds, the Japanese driver found himself racing with inferior machinery for much of the season. Horner’s strategy saw Verstappen receive priority on performance upgrades while Tsunoda was left running older components, significantly hampering his competitiveness.
The statistics present a stark contrast between the two drivers. Tsunoda accumulated just 33 points throughout 22 race weekends, finishing 17th in the drivers’ championship. In juxtaposition, Verstappen claimed eight Grand Prix victories, nearing a title challenge against Lando Norris despite McLaren having a superior package for most of the campaign.
During an interview with DAZN, Tsunoda expressed his frustrations regarding the competitive landscape, describing the season as potentially the tightest in F1 history. “Differences of less than one-tenth of a second can change two or three positions, so the difference in updates can have a big impact,” he explained, highlighting how marginal deficits translated into substantial consequences on the track.
The Japanese racer elaborated on the significant impact of performance disparities, saying, “Even a difference of two or three tenths of a second from Max can mean a difference of five to seven places in the rankings, which makes a huge difference in how the results are perceived.” He underscored how difficult it was to showcase his value under such constraints.
Circumstances improved somewhat when Laurent Mekies took over as team principal, instituting equal specifications for both drivers. This change enabled Tsunoda to achieve a sixth-place finish in Azerbaijan and secure points during both the Sprint and main race in Austin. However, those results were ultimately insufficient to extend his stay with the team.
Red Bull officially informed Tsunoda shortly before the Abu Dhabi finale that his services would no longer be required, elevating Isack Hadjar to the senior team for 2026. Tsunoda’s pathway back to the Racing Bulls was similarly obstructed by the promotion of teenager Arvid Lindblad from Formula 2, leaving him relegated to a reserve driver role.
In a season defined by contrasting fortunes, Tsunoda’s poignant reminder illustrates the stark realities within a fiercely competitive sport where team strategies can shape a driver’s trajectory, reinforcing the need for consistent support regardless of status.
