Senior Red Bull F1 figure issues Yuki Tsunoda 'time' verdict

Red Bull sister team CEO Peter Bayer has insisted Yuki Tsunoda simply requires "time" to improve, although admitted the Japanese driver's struggles have surprised him. 

Tsunoda has endured a difficult start to life as a Red Bull driver, following his promotion from Racing Bulls after just two races to replace Liam Lawson. 

Lawson had, initially, been chosen over Tsunoda as Sergio Perez's replacement for the 2025 campaign, following 11 appearances for the second Red Bull outfit over a two-year period. 

It led to initial speculation over whether Tsunoda would ever drive alongside Max Verstappen, particularly has he had become the leader of Racing Bulls throughout 2023 and 2024. 

From the Japanese GP, he has been in the second Red Bull seat next to the four-time world champion, but has failed to deliver strong results. 

He has suffered from four Q1 exits in the last grands prix, and has gone seven consecutive races without a point – a Red Bull driver record. 

In total, Tsunoda has scored just seven points in his 12 events for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with his best qualifying result of the year having been for Racing Bulls in Australia.

His difficulties have caught Bayer by surprise, having seen him perform so strongly for the sister team.

Asked by PlanetF1 if Tsunoda's struggles have surprised him, Bayer replied" "Yes, I would lie [if I said I wasn’t],"

"I’ve seen him, the potential, his performances, and his mindset. I’ve seen his physical preparation. I saw a Yuki as strong as I’ve never seen him before, but everything else, honestly, I don’t know.

"I haven’t spoken to Yuki about why it is [so difficult]. I think he just needs time. I think it’s probably just a very difficult car to drive, because that’s the difference to our car. 

"Ours is much more forgiving, wider window, but it’s not as fast. That’s the difference."