Former F1 team principal tips Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull exit

Yuki Tsunoda, British GP, 2025, generic — Photo: © IMAGO

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Former team principal tips Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull F1 exit

Yuki Tsunoda has failed to impress at Red Bull

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 19 July 2025 19:00

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has tipped Yuki Tsunoda to be axed by Red Bull, perhaps even before the end of 2025.

Tsunoda was promoted to the main Red Bull team back in March after Liam Lawson's slow start to the campaign in the opening two rounds.

Red Bull hoped that in bringing in Tsunoda, they would finally solve their second driver problems once and for all. However, the Japanese driver has only been able to score points in three grands prix so far this season, and currently languishes below both Isack Hadjar and Lawson in the drivers’ standings.

Now, speaking on a recent episode of the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner has tipped Red Bull to wield their brutal axe once again if Tsunoda's performances do not improve: "Yuki Tsunoda needs to make points.”

"Otherwise, I really think latest end of the year he’s out of there, but it could be before.”

Could Tsunoda leave Red Bull?

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"I think this is saying we let Christian Horner go, we changed Liam Lawson, so it’s one of those things, if he doesn’t shape up, he will not be there for a long time anymore.”

Red Bull have not been afraid to make major changes to ensure their success in 2025, and announced after Silverstone that their team principal, Christian Horner, had been sacked.

The decision comes after increased speculation about Verstappen’s place at the team, following interest from rivals Mercedes and Red Bull's decline in performance.

Verstappen has slipped 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ championship, as Red Bull have failed to find answers for their poor pace in 2025.

Red Bull’s second car in particular has struggled to become a top 10 finisher in the past year, regardless of whether it was Sergio Perez, Lawson or Tsunoda behind the wheel.

Nevertheless, Verstappen’s ability to put the RB21 on pole at Silverstone and remain in the fight for podium positions most weekends highlights Tsunoda's weaknesses in the car, particularly as the likes of Hadjar continue to impress with Racing Bulls.

NASCAR Red Bull Yuki Tsunoda Liam Lawson Guenther Steiner Isack Hadjar