Tsunoda denied Red Bull promotion after ‘fu….read more
Helmut Marko has revealed that Yuki Tsunoda’s chances of a promotion to Red Bull were dashed due to a fallout with the team’s former chief technical officer, Adrian Newey. Marko explained that the Japanese driver’s inconsistent performance and a particular incident in 2022 played a significant role in the decision to promote Liam Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Despite a strong 2024 season from Tsunoda, his failure to secure a spot in the Red Bull team left many confused. Marko, however, was quick to remind critics of Tsunoda’s history of inconsistency. He pointed out that the Japanese driver had struggled with frequent mistakes, which undermined his potential for a Red Bull seat. Marko referenced Tsunoda’s performance during the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix, where the decisive phase of the season began for Red Bull, noting that Tsunoda made crucial errors. In contrast, Lawson’s performance was praised for being impressive and steady, even under intense pressure. According to Marko, this contrast in reliability played a part in the decision-making process.
However, the true turning point came from an incident at the 2022 British Grand Prix. Marko recalled that Tsunoda had a clash with his teammate Pierre Gasly, which resulted in significant damage to the car, including harming Max Verstappen’s car underbody. This costly mistake contributed to Verstappen losing a potential race victory. Marko stated that Adrian Newey, who was Red Bull’s chief technical officer at the time, was furious over the incident. This altercation apparently solidified Newey’s negative view of Tsunoda, making the driver an unlikely candidate for promotion in Newey’s eyes. Marko hinted that from that moment, Tsunoda’s standing within Red Bull was permanently affected.
With Newey’s departure from Red Bull to join Aston Martin as their managing technical partner, Marko suggested that the dynamic around Tsunoda could shift. Newey, known for his meticulous design work, will earn a reported £30 million per year in his new role, where he is expected to help Aston Martin compete for a championship-winning car. Marko also implied that, if Newey’s relationship with Red Bull remained strained, he could potentially discourage Tsunoda from joining Aston Martin.
Tsunoda has been working diligently to improve his consistency and is seemingly more focused than ever. However, the lingering influence of his previous conflicts, particularly with Newey, appears to have played a significant role in his missed opportunity with Red Bull. This narrative casts a long shadow over his future in Formula 1, suggesting that past mistakes and internal team politics continue to shape driver opportunities.
