Red Bull Racing has clarified that they are not seeking a replacement for Yuki Tsunoda, despite the intense spotlight on the team’s second seat. According to team principal Laurent Mekies, the priority right now is to provide Tsunoda with the tools and support he needs to deliver strong performances. Rather than scouting for alternatives, Red Bull is committed to maximizing the Japanese driver’s potential as they continue refining their lineup for better results.
The second seat at Red Bull has been somewhat unstable, with Max Verstappen sharing the garage with multiple teammates over the past year and a half. Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and now Yuki Tsunoda have each partnered with the reigning world champion in quick succession. Tsunoda was brought into the main team from Racing Bulls just before his home race in Japan, stepping in for Lawson after only two rounds into the 2025 season. However, the transition has been challenging, and the 24-year-old has yet to hit his stride in the RB21.
Speaking during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Mekies — who assumed his role as Red Bull’s team boss on July 9, succeeding Christian Horner — emphasized that building Tsunoda’s confidence and performance remains the team’s focal point. He acknowledged that progress has been ongoing, citing the Belgian GP at Spa as a positive indicator, even if the Hungarian round proved trickier to assess. Mekies remains confident in Tsunoda’s potential, pointing to previous strong outings as evidence that the driver still has more to offer.
Tsunoda, for his part, has addressed the noticeable performance gap between himself and Verstappen. He praised the Dutchman’s consistent excellence, acknowledging how naturally Verstappen seems to extract pace from the car in every session. Still, Tsunoda pushed back against direct comparisons, explaining that it’s unrealistic to measure his output against someone with nearly a decade of experience in the same machinery. The difference in car upgrades, he noted, is also a factor in that disparity.
The Japanese driver remains focused on personal growth rather than external pressure. While he recognizes what he can learn from Verstappen’s example, Tsunoda is determined to evolve on his own terms. Without having equal machinery, he believes direct comparisons are premature. For now, his strategy is to take steady steps forward, improve with each race, and find his rhythm with Red Bull — something the team is fully behind as they invest in his development.
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