Franz Tost Pinpoints Yuki Tsunoda's Core Issue at Red Bull

Former Boss Franz Tost Identifies Yuki Tsunoda's Main Challenge

Yuki Tsunoda's inconsistent performance at Red Bull Racing isn't due to a lack of speed, according to his former AlphaTauri team principal, Franz Tost. Tost, who oversaw Tsunoda's entry into Formula 1, believes the primary challenge stems from insufficient dedication and hard work compared to his raw talent.

Why it matters:

Tsunoda has struggled to consistently match Max Verstappen's pace, particularly since the Japanese Grand Prix, raising questions about his future at the top-tier team. Tost's insights, coming from someone who knows Tsunoda well, offer a critical perspective on what it takes to succeed at Red Bull.

The big picture:

While Tsunoda has shown flashes of brilliance in junior categories and even in F1, translating raw speed into consistent, top-tier performance requires relentless effort. Tost suggests that Tsunoda's natural talent might have made him complacent, lacking the extra drive needed to analyze data and close performance gaps.

The details:

• In an interview with ServusTV, Tost noted, "Yuki is very good in terms of speed, but maybe that's the problem."
• He observed that Tsunoda's success in Formula 2 and Formula 3 "all fell into his lap," implying less need for intense effort previously.
• Tost emphasized, "If I drive five tenths to one second slower than my teammate, then I stay in the paddock day and night or study the data until I know why I'm slower."
• He concluded, "He is talented, but unfortunately he is not zealous enough, not diligent enough to compensate for this shortcomings."
• Currently, Tsunoda sits 19th in the Drivers' standings, while teammate Max Verstappen is 3rd with significantly more points.

What's next:

For Tsunoda to secure a long-term future at Red Bull, he must demonstrate a significant shift in his approach, combining his natural speed with the rigorous work ethic that F1 demands, especially when competing against a benchmark like Max Verstappen. His dedication to data analysis and self-improvement will be key to unlocking his full potential.