Red Bull’s Crisis Deepens as Helmut Marko Reveals ‘Intensive’ Talks with S… read more
Red Bull Racing is facing a critical juncture in the 2025 Formula One season as influential advisor Helmut Marko has admitted to holding “intensive” discussions with underperforming driver Yuki Tsunoda in an attempt to turn around the team’s diminishing fortunes. The energy drink-backed outfit, once an unstoppable powerhouse in the sport, now finds itself slipping behind in the Constructors’ Championship standings — and much of the blame has landed on the second seat alongside reigning World Champion Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda’s promotion to the senior Red Bull team came earlier than expected in 2025, replacing Liam Lawson after just two races. Lawson had endured a rocky start to the season, failing to finish in one race and placing 16th in the other, prompting the team to fast-track Tsunoda from the sister Racing Bulls outfit. The decision was intended to bring immediate performance gains and strengthen the team’s pursuit of the title. However, it has not yielded the desired results. Red Bull now sits fourth in the Constructors’ standings with 172 points — a worrying figure considering that Verstappen alone has delivered 165 of those points. Tsunoda has contributed only a fraction, finishing in the points at just three grands prix.
The situation reached a low point at the British Grand Prix, where Tsunoda crossed the finish line last among the drivers who completed the race. In response, Marko acknowledged the driver’s struggles but also highlighted glimpses of progress. Writing in his regular column for Speedweek, Marko commented, “Yuki Tsunoda has struggled on some GP weekends, but we have already seen an upward trend in England: the gap to Max was smaller in most free practice sessions than before, and he was able to start from eleventh on the grid in England.” He further revealed that Tsunoda is now working with sports psychologists in a bid to improve his mental resilience and overall performance under pressure.
Marko’s remarks come at a time when Red Bull is navigating one of its most turbulent periods in years. Just hours after a disappointing P5 and P15 result at Silverstone, the team made the shock announcement that long-serving team principal Christian Horner had been sacked with immediate effect. The abrupt leadership reshuffle saw Laurent Mekies — Tsunoda’s former boss at Racing Bulls — elevated to the top job at Red Bull. While Horner’s exit may have overshadowed Tsunoda’s woes, it also presents a potential silver lining for the 25-year-old. Mekies’ appointment could offer a fresh start and a more supportive environment for Tsunoda, who has previously flourished under his management.
Still, time is rapidly running out for the Japanese driver to prove his worth. While Marko’s public comments paint a picture of optimism, they could also be a strategic attempt to downplay internal pressures and protect team morale amid growing scrutiny. With only a few months left in the current season, Tsunoda must begin delivering consistent points finishes if he is to secure a place at Red Bull for 2026. Mere signs of improvement won’t suffice — results are what count in Formula One, and Tsunoda’s have been sorely lacking.
The stakes are even higher given the uncertain future of Max Verstappen. Speculation is rife that the Dutchman may leave Red Bull at the end of the season, with Mercedes rumored to be a likely destination. If Verstappen departs, Red Bull could find itself without its star driver, making the role of the second seat even more vital. In such a scenario, retaining Tsunoda might be a strategic move, ensuring some continuity as the team prepares to rebuild its lineup.
Yet this continuity argument only holds weight if Tsunoda begins to demonstrate that he can be more than just a support act. Red Bull has historically demanded excellence from its drivers, with short tolerance for underperformance — as seen with Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and more recently, Liam Lawson. Tsunoda, despite showing promise since his F1 debut in 2021, has struggled with consistency and racecraft, and the step up to Red Bull has magnified those flaws.
For now, the team appears willing to give Tsunoda more time, buoyed perhaps by his close qualifying performance in England and an evident effort to improve his mental approach. But make no mistake — the clock is ticking. The second half of the season will determine whether Tsunoda is capable of fulfilling Red Bull’s high expectations or if he too will join the growing list of drivers who couldn’t meet the mark in Formula One’s most high-pressure environment.
Red Bull’s current predicament underscores the delicate balance between talent development and results. With Verstappen potentially on his way out and the team slipping down the standings, every driver decision carries heightened importance. Tsunoda’s continued presence in the team hinges not only on his individual progress but also on how well he can rise to the occasion when the team needs him most.
In this rapidly evolving F1 landscape, Tsunoda has an opportunity — perhaps his final one — to prove he belongs at the sport’s top table. Whether he can seize it remains one of the defining subplots of Red Bull’s 2025 campaign.
