Helmut Marko Expresses Doubts Over Tsunoda’s Consistency Despite Red Bull Promotion
Red Bull Racing’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has spoken out regarding Yuki Tsunoda’s recent performances after the Japanese driver was promoted to the senior Red Bull team earlier in the 2025 Formula 1 season. While Tsunoda has shown moments of improvement and confidence behind the wheel of the RB21, Marko believes the 24-year-old still lacks the consistency required to truly make a difference when the stakes are high.
Tsunoda was called up to Red Bull’s main team following just two races into the 2025 campaign. He replaced Liam Lawson, who had been serving as a temporary stand-in but was subsequently sent back to the sister outfit, Racing Bulls. The decision to promote Tsunoda was seen as a bold move by the team, especially considering the immense pressure that comes with racing alongside three-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Since stepping into the Red Bull cockpit, Tsunoda has demonstrated more confidence than Lawson, particularly in qualifying sessions. One notable performance came during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he secured an impressive eighth-place start on the grid. This result marked Red Bull’s first double top-eight qualifying result since the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, sparking optimism within the team about Tsunoda’s potential.
However, that optimism was short-lived. Tsunoda’s race in Jeddah ended in disaster when he was involved in a first-lap collision with Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, forcing him to retire early. The incident underscored the very issues Marko later brought to light—Tsunoda’s difficulty in sustaining strong performances under race-day pressure.
In an interview with the media, Marko acknowledged Tsunoda’s growth but was candid in his critique. “There’s no denying he’s improved since his earlier seasons, but in free practice sessions, when the pressure isn’t as high, he’s still a few tenths off the pace,” said Marko. “Then, in qualifying, he tends to push too hard, often overdriving the car. He’s certainly made progress, but he needs to deliver consistently when it really matters.”
So far, Tsunoda has accumulated just two points from his three appearances with Red Bull, falling short of the team’s expectations. More critically, he has yet to offer substantial support to Verstappen in the team’s fight for the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull currently finds itself trailing McLaren by a significant 99-point margin, adding further weight to the need for Tsunoda to start delivering results.
The stakes could not be higher for Red Bull, a team used to dominating the championship standings in recent years. With the competition heating up, every driver pairing needs to be operating at full capacity. Verstappen continues to pull his weight at the front of the grid, but Red Bull’s title hopes will depend heavily on whether Tsunoda can contribute more consistently in the coming races.
As the F1 circus heads to the Miami Grand Prix, Tsunoda is hoping to turn things around on a track that holds fond memories for him. In 2024, while racing for Racing Bulls, Tsunoda finished seventh in Miami—one of his best results of the season. He’ll be aiming to replicate, or even improve upon, that performance now that he’s part of Red Bull’s main squad.
The Miami race presents both a challenge and an opportunity. If Tsunoda can deliver a clean weekend, qualify well, and score points, it could serve as a turning point in his 2025 season and help silence critics. Conversely, another underwhelming outing could prompt further questions about whether he’s the right fit for a top-tier team like Red Bull.
Ultimately, Marko’s comments serve as a clear message—not just to Tsunoda but to the entire paddock. Red Bull demands excellence, and while flashes of talent are appreciated, consistency is what separates good drivers from great ones. With the championship on the line and McLaren surging ahead, Red Bull cannot afford to wait much longer for Tsunoda to rise to the occasion. The ball is now in the young driver’s court, and all eyes will be on him in Miami.
