Tsunoda's Red Bull exit validates Perez's complaints, signals challenge for Hadjar

Yuki Tsunoda's removal from Red Bull Racing following a winless 2025 season—where he managed just 30 points and seven top-ten finishes—validates Sergio Perez's persistent complaints about the team's car development favoring Max Verstappen. The Japanese driver's struggles mirror Perez's 2024 downfall, serving as both vindication for the Mexican and a stark warning for prospective teammate Isack Hadjar.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's repeated dismissal of drivers who fail to thrive in Verstappen-optimized machinery reveals a systemic challenge in managing dual-title contenders. With Perez now preparing for a Cadillac comeback and Tsunoda demoted to Racing Bulls, the pattern underscores how even podium-caliber drivers can become casualties when technical direction prioritizes one superstar's needs—a critical consideration as Red Bull evaluates Hadjar for 2026.

The details:

• Perez's prescient struggle: Despite playing a key role in Verstappen's 2021 title—including his famed Abu Dhabi defense against Hamilton—Perez's performance declined as Red Bull intensified front-end grip development for Verstappen's unique style. This compromised rear stability, which most drivers require for confidence in the ground-effect era.
• 2024 reality check: While Red Bull's 2023 dominance masked Perez's difficulties, the 2024 season exposed his struggles as McLaren surged and Ferrari/Mercedes closed the gap. His eighth-place championship finish led to dismissal despite past contributions.
• Failed replacements: Liam Lawson lasted only two races in 2025 before Tsunoda's promotion. The Japanese driver underperformed with just six Q3 appearances and outspoken criticism echoing Perez's earlier complaints about car handling.
• Technical mismatch: Paddock analysis confirms Red Bull's relentless pursuit of Verstappen's preferred front-end characteristics inherently sacrifices rear stability—a tradeoff that disproportionately impacts drivers less adaptable to the car's demanding balance.

What's next:

As Red Bull assesses rookie Isack Hadjar for 2026, the Tsunoda-Perez pattern creates immense pressure to immediately master the car's Verstappen-centric dynamics. Hadjar must demonstrate exceptional adaptability to avoid becoming the third consecutive Red Bull driver sidelined by this development philosophy.

Meanwhile, Perez gains redemption opportunity at Cadillac's 2026 entry, calling it "the last big F1 project" of his career. His recent social media reference to Tsunoda's failed defense against Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi—a direct callback to his own 2021 heroics—serves as both subtle critique of Red Bull and validation of his longstanding stance. Should Perez succeed with Cadillac while Red Bull continues struggling to develop competitive second cars, it would further undermine the team's driver management strategy. The coming seasons will test whether Red Bull can balance Verstappen's needs with developing a truly competitive package for any driver—a challenge that has now derailed three careers in five years.