Yuki Tsunoda’s Austrian GP Disaster: Has He Signed Off His Red Bull Future?

Yuki Tsunoda’s Formula 1 career has teetered between promise and peril since he first entered the sport with AlphaTauri in 2021. Fast forward to the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, and the Japanese driver might have reached the tipping point. His dismal performance — finishing dead last in a race where four drivers failed to finish — has reignited serious doubts about his future in the Red Bull driver program. In the unforgiving world of F1, one poor weekend can undo years of hard work, and Tsunoda’s Austrian outing might have just sealed his fate.

A Weekend to Forget

Held at Red Bull’s home circuit in Spielberg, the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix was a crucial test for all Red Bull-affiliated drivers. But while Max Verstappen continues to perform miracles in the RB21, the team’s second car — often seen as a litmus test for up-and-coming talent — has again come under scrutiny. Yuki Tsunoda’s qualifying struggles were apparent. Despite favorable early pace, he failed to reach Q3 for the fifth consecutive race. This time, his downfall came not just from a lack of speed but also poor adaptability to the changing track conditions.

Team advisor Helmut Marko was candid post-race:

“With his first set, Yuki was still somewhat within range… but with the changing conditions, he just has a much harder time adapting.”

That statement stung — and was no mere throwaway remark. Marko is known for his blunt evaluations, and his words often serve as a prelude to major driver decisions. For Tsunoda, the writing might already be on the wall.

Reckless Mistakes and Costly Penalties

Tsunoda’s weekend worsened in the race. Beyond the lack of pace, his racecraft came under fire. He made overly ambitious overtaking attempts, particularly one that resulted in Argentine driver Franco Colinto spinning out at Turn 6. This incident earned Tsunoda a 10-second time penalty and ensured he finished stone dead last among the classified runners.

In a team where every point matters, and where Verstappen is frequently left to carry the team’s championship aspirations single-handedly, such recklessness is a cardinal sin. When the team’s lead driver fails to finish — as Verstappen did due to a mid-race collision — the burden falls on the second car to salvage something. Tsunoda delivered nothing.

Admissions and Frustrations

Tsunoda’s own post-race comments only added fuel to the fire.

“I’m just not able to put it all together in qualifying… I’m happy with the confidence and I’m sure I’m heading in the right direction.”

While that optimism is admirable, the fact remains: his performance gap to Verstappen is unacceptably wide. Peter Windsor, a veteran F1 pundit, didn’t mince words either, labeling Tsunoda as “the biggest disappointment” of the qualifying session. He criticized Yuki’s inability to manage tire behavior and adapt to the car’s changing balance — fundamentals that elite drivers must master.

The Red Bull Conundrum

Red Bull has always maintained a ruthlessly meritocratic driver program. If you underperform, you’re out — plain and simple. Tsunoda’s struggles stand in stark contrast to the rising stars within the Red Bull pipeline. Both Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad are pushing hard for F1 seats. Hadjar, in particular, has caught the eye after solid performances with Racing Bulls and now sits ahead of Tsunoda in the Drivers’ Championship.

Lindblad, though younger and less experienced, recently received a Super License exemption and is expected to take part in FP1 sessions — a sign that Red Bull sees him as a future candidate. If Tsunoda continues to falter, it’s easy to envision a mid-season swap or an end-of-year exit.

What Lies Ahead?

Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls’ team principal, insists that Hadjar will remain with them through 2026. But Red Bull has often disregarded such assurances when bigger goals are at stake. Should Tsunoda be dropped, Hadjar is the logical replacement, with Lindblad moving up into the Racing Bulls seat.

Such a move would not only sideline Tsunoda but potentially push him out of F1 altogether. With no realistic seats open beyond the Red Bull ecosystem, and with Liam Lawson already on the sidelines after failing to impress, Tsunoda could be facing the end of the road.

Is Red Bull Still the Goal?

Ironically, Tsunoda’s journey through Red Bull’s junior teams — from AlphaTauri to Racing Bulls — was meant to be a launchpad to the top team. But given his current trajectory, that goal seems more distant than ever. Red Bull may have upgraded their cars questionably, but while Verstappen continues to adapt and extract performance, Tsunoda appears lost.

At one point, the team envisioned him as a potential future teammate to Max. Now, they’re likely planning how to manage his departure. And it’s not just about raw performance — it’s about promise, progression, and pressure management. In all three areas, Tsunoda is falling short.

Can He Turn It Around?

Of course, motorsport has seen mid-season resurgences before. Tsunoda still has a handful of races before the summer break, and if he can reverse his form and consistently score points, there’s a slim chance he can save his seat. But make no mistake — time is running out.

He needs to do more than just “put it together.” He needs to outqualify his teammate, score points when Verstappen doesn’t, and demonstrate maturity on the track. Anything less will not suffice in the cutthroat world of Formula 1.

Conclusion

The 2025 Austrian GP may well be remembered as the weekend Yuki Tsunoda signed off on his Red Bull career. With rookies knocking on the door, team leadership losing patience, and performance deficits becoming too large to ignore, the situation is dire. Tsunoda has been part of the Red Bull family for five years, but unless he delivers results — and fast — that chapter could soon close.

What do you think? Should Tsunoda be dropped? And is Hadjar or Lindblad the right replacement? Let us know your thoughts, and keep an eye on Silverstone — it might be the turning point for Red Bull’s 2025 driver lineup.

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