Tsunoda Reflects on 2025 Mistakes at Red Bull and Embraces Comeback with Racing Bulls

Tsunoda Reflects on 2025 Mistakes and Embraces Comeback

Yuki Tsunoda has made a surprising return to Formula 1, stepping in for Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls following Isack Hadjar’s injury. The Japanese driver, who is currently Red Bull’s reserve driver, has taken full advantage of this unexpected opportunity, competing in three races in 2026.

In a recent episode of the official F1 podcast Beyond the Grid, Tsunoda discussed the challenges he faced during the 2025 season, where he struggled to make an impact while supporting Max Verstappen’s championship bid. He admitted that his biggest mistake was attempting to replicate Verstappen’s driving style and car setup, which he believed hindered his performance.

Learning from the Past

“One thing about myself I think, if I say [being] completely honest, I have a big enough ego to not change my driving style,” Tsunoda stated. He acknowledged that while he learned a lot from Verstappen, trying to mimic the World Champion’s approach was not beneficial. “What I think now is the biggest mistake in last year was to try to replicate the set-up what he’s doing,” he added.

During his time with Red Bull, Tsunoda scored only seven points across 21 Grands Prix, a stark contrast to Verstappen, who won five of the last eight races that season. This performance ultimately led to Tsunoda losing his seat, with Hadjar being promoted to replace him.

A Fresh Start with Racing Bulls

Despite the disappointment of losing his race seat, Tsunoda expressed a sense of resilience. “I fought really hard… and even if I look back now, I don’t have much regret. I gave everything,” he reflected. He believes that the struggles he faced in 2025 have made him a better driver, and his recent performances with Racing Bulls have shown promise.

In the new generation of cars, Tsunoda has adapted well, particularly during the Sprint format at Zandvoort, where he had limited practice time. He finished 11th in that race and later secured a point by finishing 10th at Monza, contributing to Racing Bulls’ fight against Alpine in the championship standings.

Looking Ahead

“The feeling I had, crossing the line, finishing P10, is definitely a bit more special… Felt like really similar feeling towards first time I scored points in AlphaTauri,” Tsunoda said, reflecting on the joy of scoring points again. As he aims for a full-time drive in the upcoming season, he remains focused on maximizing his current opportunities. “My primary focus is F1. I’m trying to be back. That’s my target,” he concluded.

For more insights, listen to the latest episode of Beyond the Grid here.