Yuki Tsunoda finished the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, held on July 27, 2025, in 13th place, failing to score points due to a strategic error by Red Bull. Team principal Laurent Mekies admitted a communication failure led to a late pit-stop call, compromising the Japanese driver’s race. Tsunoda, who was running in the top ten, lost crucial positions after being instructed to switch from intermediate to dry tires after passing the pit-lane entry. Red Bull, struggling with the RB21 car this season, praised Tsunoda’s competitiveness in qualifying, where he secured seventh place. The mistake highlighted team strategy weaknesses, with focus now shifting to the Hungarian GP, set for August 1-3.
The Belgian GP error marked another challenging moment in Tsunoda’s 2025 season with Red Bull. Despite replacing Liam Lawson after just two races, the Japanese driver struggled to match teammate Max Verstappen’s pace. The team, fighting to stay competitive in the constructors’ championship, saw its situation worsen with the second car’s inconsistent performance. An RB21 update introduced before Spa qualifying offered hope, but the strategic error derailed the final result.
Strategic error: Late pit-stop call cost Tsunoda crucial time.
Qualifying performance: Seventh place showed the Japanese driver’s potential.
RB21 challenges: Car struggles to suit drivers beyond Verstappen.
Next race: Hungarian GP offers a chance for Red Bull to address issues.
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Tsunoda’s performance in the 2025 season
Yuki Tsunoda took over the Red Bull seat at the Japanese GP in April 2025 after the team replaced Liam Lawson, who struggled early on. The Japanese driver, with four years at Racing Bulls, brought experience but faced challenges adapting to the RB21, designed for Verstappen’s driving style. In ten races with Red Bull, Tsunoda scored just seven points, placing 17th in the drivers’ championship, even behind Lawson, who returned to Racing Bulls.
The Belgian GP showcased both Tsunoda’s potential and limitations. In qualifying, he capitalized on an RB21 floor upgrade, securing seventh place, his best grid position of the season. However, the race was undermined by the late pit-stop call, forcing an extra lap on unsuitable tires. Laurent Mekies praised Tsunoda’s progress but stressed the need for better team communication and timing.
Seventh in qualifying: Tsunoda’s best result with Red Bull in 2025.
Limited points: Only seven points in ten races with the main team.
RB21 update: New floor brought gains but didn’t prevent race issues.
Gap to Verstappen: A 130-point difference highlights second-driver challenges.
Strategy under pressure at Red Bull
Red Bull faces a tough 2025 season, sitting fourth in the constructors’ championship with 172 points, 165 from Verstappen. The departure of former team principal Christian Horner and Laurent Mekies’ arrival intensified internal changes. The Spa pit-stop error reflects pressure to optimize the second car’s performance, critical for challenging McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Strategic issues also affected Tsunoda in earlier races, such as Australia and China.
Mekies, who previously worked with Tsunoda at Racing Bulls, highlighted the driver’s ability to adapt to car updates quickly. Their trust was evident in Spa, where Mekies smiled as Tsunoda reached Q3 in qualifying. However, the race misstep underscored the need for better team coordination. Red Bull now focuses on the Hungarian GP to refine strategies and close the championship gap.
Constructors’ standings: Red Bull trails McLaren by 288 points.
Leadership change: Horner’s exit and Mekies’ arrival brought new dynamics.
Tsunoda’s relationship: Mekies leverages past experience to boost results.
Next steps: Strategic adjustments are a priority for Hungary.
Tsunoda’s uncertain future at Red Bull
Despite assurances from Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko that Tsunoda will stay until the end of 2025, his 2026 future is unclear. With Honda’s exit as an engine supplier, Tsunoda loses significant financial and political backing. Rumors suggest a move to Aston Martin, Honda’s future partner, but limited seats may relegate him to a reserve role. Tsunoda has expressed reluctance to accept non-racing positions.
His inconsistent 2025 performance, with only three point-scoring races, adds pressure. His best result was ninth in Bahrain, but incidents like a crash in Imola, damaging a new floor, and a penalty in Austria for causing a collision hurt his reputation. Red Bull is evaluating young talents like Isack Hadjar for 2026, making it critical for Tsunoda to deliver consistent results.
Honda’s exit: Loss of supplier support may impact Tsunoda’s stay.
Aston Martin rumors: Potential interest, but no guaranteed seat.
Internal competition: Hadjar and other young drivers vie for opportunities.
Need for results: Tsunoda must score regularly to secure his future.
RB21 updates and technical challenges
The RB21, Red Bull’s 2025 car, was designed for Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, complicating adaptation for other drivers. Tsunoda noted its narrow performance window, requiring precise tweaks. The Spa upgrade, featuring a new floor, brought improvements, but limited spare parts prioritized Verstappen, leaving Tsunoda with inferior specs in races like Imola, where a crash damaged his package.
Red Bull is addressing discrepancies between wind tunnel data and on-track performance, an issue plaguing the RB21 since the season’s start. The team expects new updates in upcoming races to help Tsunoda extract more performance and narrow the gap to Verstappen. His consistent Q3 appearances in qualifying are a positive sign, but converting them into race points remains a challenge.
RB21 design: Optimized for Verstappen, it challenges Tsunoda’s adaptation.
Limited upgrades: Spare parts shortages affect the second driver’s performance.
Technical issues: Wind tunnel discrepancies hinder competitiveness.
Upcoming improvements: New parts expected in future races.
Preparation for the Hungarian GP
Red Bull sees the Hungarian GP as a chance to correct Spa’s mistakes and regain competitiveness. The Hungaroring’s low- and medium-speed corners may suit the RB21, especially after recent upgrades. Tsunoda, skilled on technical tracks, has an opportunity to score points and solidify his team position. Mekies emphasized improving communication and strategy timing to avoid further setbacks.
The team plans to enhance Tsunoda’s mental preparation with sports psychologists to handle high-pressure races. His close relationship with Mekies, built at Racing Bulls, could be a key advantage. With Verstappen delivering consistent points, Red Bull relies on Tsunoda to narrow the constructors’ championship gap and climb the standings.
Favorable track: Hungaroring may highlight RB21’s strengths.
Mental support: Tsunoda works with psychologists to manage pressure.
Strategic focus: Red Bull aims to avoid Spa-like errors.
Points target: Team wants Tsunoda in the points regularly.
