Red Bull chief admits 'intensive' talks over key driver future

Influential Red Bull figure Helmut Marko has revealed that the team held 'intensive' talks with an underperforming driver recently.

Yuki Tsunoda was bumped up from Racing Bulls to feature alongside Max Verstappen after just two races of the 2025 season, taking Liam Lawson's spot with the senior team.

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Lawson only managed a DNF and a P16 finish in his first and only two rounds with Red Bull, with Tsunoda taking the second seat from the Japanese GP onwards in a move the team had hoped would boost their championship chances.

Instead, Red Bull have dropped to fourth in the constructors' with 172 points, 165 of which have been earned by Verstappen, and Tsunoda has only finished in the points at three grands prix.

On the last two outings with Red Bull, the Japanese racer crossed the line last out of the drivers who remained, and reflecting on his poor form after the British GP, Marko has revealed what is being done to boost Tsunoda's future.

Speaking in his column with Speedweek, Marko said: "Yuki Tsunoda has struggled on some GP weekends, but we have already seen an upward trend in England: the gap to Max was smaller in most free practice sessions than before, and he was able to start from eleventh on the grid in England.

"We had intensive discussions with Yuki, he also works with sports psychologists. Unfortunately, like Max, he had no chance in the race with this wing. But we are noticing an improvement in his performance and we are optimistic that this will soon be reflected in points," he added.

Will Tsunoda run out of time to prove worthy of Red Bull seat?

However, Marko may be talking up the potential of Tsunoda's improvements to save face after the team's hectic aftermath fallout from the British GP.

After all, the points are scored on Sunday and if the 25-year-old wants to stand a chance of remaining with Red Bull for 2026, he needs to start earning some.

Following Red Bull's P5 and P15 result at Silverstone, the Milton Keynes-based outfit delivered the bombshell announcement that principal Christian Horner had been immediately sacked from his role, with an instant reshuffle taking place.

Tsunoda's former Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies has now taken over the helm at Red Bull and could prove as a great opportunity for Tsunoda to improve his chances of extending his contract under the leadership of a familiar face.

It is in Red Bull's interest to keep Tsunoda on board as rumours continue to swirl over Verstappen's contract and whether a move to Mercedes could be on the cards.

As Marko awaits an official decision from the Dutchman, Red Bull are faced with the very real possibility that they could be without their star driver next season.

Though Tsunoda may be way off the results his team need from him, getting rid of their number two driver would only make starting over with their line-up much harder, forcing them to sign drivers who have zero experience in the Red Bull machinery.

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