Horner calls on Red Bull to investigate Tsunoda’s dismal race

In the relentless world of Formula 1, where every tenth of a second and every strategic decision can define a season, the performance of each driver is under constant scrutiny. Following a challenging Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has openly addressed the struggles faced by driver Yuki Tsunoda, emphasizing the urgent need for the team to thoroughly investigate and understand the underlying causes of his disappointing weekend.

The Spielberg circuit, a home race for Red Bull, proved particularly unforgiving for Tsunoda. Despite showing glimpses of pace earlier in the practice sessions, a crucial qualifying session saw him eliminated in Q1. This early exit was particularly perplexing as he had managed to lap within a mere three tenths of a second of his formidable teammate, Max Verstappen, highlighting the incredibly tight margins and the intense competitive pressure that defines modern F1 qualifying. The fine line between progressing and dropping out often comes down to the smallest detail, a crucial error, or a slight misjudgment of track conditions.

Starting from a lowly 18th position on the grid, Tsunoda’s race was unfortunately a cascade of challenges. He struggled significantly to make any meaningful progress through the field, a testament to the highly competitive nature of mid-pack racing where overtakes are hard-earned. The situation was further compounded by a 10-second time penalty incurred for a collision with Franco Colapinto. Adding to his woes, he also found himself in a tangle with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll. By the chequered flag, Tsunoda was the last driver still running, finishing a full two laps down from the leaders. It was a stark and frustrating outcome for a driver under immense pressure to perform.

Reflecting on the weekend, Horner expressed his disappointment to the official F1 website: “With Yuki, obviously it’s difficult to make progress from starting where he did on the grid and then picking up a penalty as well with Colapinto. So a horrible race for him today as well. It’s frustrating but we’ll move on quickly to Silverstone.” This concise statement from the team principal underscored the challenging circumstances Tsunoda faced, acknowledging the compounded difficulties that led to his poor result while immediately shifting focus to the next race opportunity.

A recurring theme throughout this season for Tsunoda has been his struggle to translate promising free practice pace into strong qualifying and race performances. The Austrian Grand Prix marked the third time in just five race weekends that he failed to advance beyond Q1, a statistic that raises concerns within the team. While his raw speed during initial sessions often appears competitive, the crucial moments of qualifying and the strategic demands of a full race distance have proven to be a significant hurdle. This inconsistency can be particularly unsettling for a driver, making it difficult to build momentum and confidence.

Horner elaborated on the need for a comprehensive review: “We need to understand with Yuki what’s gone wrong because, certainly [in second and third practice] he was looking okay. In qualifying, it seemed to fall apart for him.” He further added, “Then when you’re out of position, you’re down the pack like that, when it’s so tight he’s struggling for confidence. But we’ll work with him, we’ll try and help him through it.” This indicates a multi-faceted issue, potentially involving car setup, driver confidence, and the unique pressures of a qualifying lap. The team’s commitment to working with Tsunoda is clear, emphasizing a supportive approach to help him regain his form and mental resilience.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter andgo ad-free

Tsunoda’s arrival at Red Bull came after the team made the difficult decision to drop Liam Lawson just two rounds into the season. This move, aimed at finding a driver who could more consistently support Max Verstappen, has ironically seen Tsunoda struggle to get significantly closer to Verstappen’s pace in recent races than Lawson did. This disparity has inevitably prompted broader questions within the Formula 1 paddock about the inherent driveability and characteristics of the Red Bull car itself. Is the car uniquely tailored to Verstappen’s exceptional driving style, making it a challenging beast for others to master?

Horner addressed this ongoing debate surrounding the Red Bull car’s complexity: “The car is a car that’s evolved over the years around the development path that we’ve taken. It isn’t an easy car to drive but it’s not that difficult either.” This statement offers a nuanced perspective. While acknowledging that the car, honed through years of development, demands a high level of skill and adaptation, it stops short of labeling it excessively difficult. This characteristic, however, means that drivers must possess a unique ability to extract its maximum potential, often requiring a specific driving technique that doesn’t come naturally to everyone.

The Red Bull philosophy of car design, which often prioritizes front-end grip and a lively rear, has historically proven challenging for many drivers trying to emulate Max Verstappen’s unparalleled performance. While Verstappen thrives on this setup, others have found it difficult to build confidence, particularly under braking and through high-speed corners. This phenomenon has been observed with previous Red Bull teammates, underscoring the formidable task of matching one of the sport’s greatest talents in his preferred machinery. For Tsunoda, finding that crucial balance between adapting his style and receiving a car setup that complements his natural instincts will be vital.

Looking ahead, the upcoming race at Silverstone presents another critical opportunity for Tsunoda to demonstrate progress. “So we’ll work with him and hopefully it’ll make a step up in Silverstone,” Horner concluded. The British Grand Prix, a high-speed circuit known for its challenging corners, will be a true test of both car and driver. It’s a circuit where confidence and a stable car are paramount, and Tsunoda will need to harness the team’s support to overcome his recent setbacks. The stakes are undeniably high, not just for the team’s championship aspirations, but also for Tsunoda’s long-term future within the highly competitive Red Bull driver programme.

The pressure on young drivers in Formula 1, particularly those associated with top teams like Red Bull, is immense. Every session, every lap, and every race is scrutinized, and performance fluctuations can have significant consequences. Tsunoda’s talent is evident, demonstrated by his flashes of pace, but consistency is the ultimate currency in this sport. As Red Bull continues its quest for championship glory, ensuring both its drivers are performing at their peak is essential. The focus now shifts to Silverstone, where Tsunoda will be looking to turn his fortunes around and prove his capability to consistently compete at the pinnacle of motorsport.

2025 Austrian Grand Prix

• Wiping Verstappen out in Austria wasn’t as bad as Monza debut crash – Antonelli
• Piastri explains “f*** me up” radio message after third run-in with an Alpine at Austrian GP
• Bortoleto admits he made a “mistake” in fight with “very smart” Alonso at Austrian GP
• Tsunoda on longest point-less run for a Red Bull driver in 16 years: Austrian GP stats
• “Confused” Russell couldn’t tell if Leclerc was “trying to help me or Lewis” at start

Browse all 2025 Austrian Grand Prix articles