Yuki Tsunoda Addresses Red Bull Future Amid Helmut Marko Pressure

Yuki Tsunoda has addressed his Red Bull future, stating his desire to remain with the team next season despite mounting pressure from motorsport advisor Helmut Marko. Marko has reportedly urged Tsunoda to improve his performance, particularly starting with this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

Tsunoda's current contract expires at the end of this season. His performance has been under scrutiny since replacing Liam Lawson, with the team aiming to secure second place in the constructors’ championship. His future within the Red Bull family is at a critical juncture.

The big picture:

Since being promoted, the 25-year-old has scored just seven points, going point-less in his last seven Grands Prix. This string of poor results has intensified the pressure, even as his general pace and lap-time deficit to Max Verstappen have shown improvement, especially after an upgrade package in Hungary.

The details:

• Focus on Performance: When asked about talks with other teams, Tsunoda stated, "My priority is to stay with Red Bull and to show performance as much as possible. That's my only focus. My job is to drive fast and score points."
• Marko's Expectations: Tsunoda acknowledged Marko's demand for performance: "I understand he's looking for me to still show the performance... I think he supports me quite a lot... he wants to have as many points as possible. So I need to perform, for sure."
• Upgrade Impact: He noted that recent upgrades have led to "some recognition that my performance improved," which he believes might give him more time to prove himself.

What's next:

While a return to Racing Bulls for 2026 remains an option within the Red Bull structure, Tsunoda's immediate goal is to demonstrate his capability at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix and beyond to secure his spot with Red Bull. He remains unsure of Marko's specific plans but is determined to perform.