Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has harsh words for the team’s newest driver, Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver was promoted from Racing Bulls at the end of March and took his place alongside Max Verstappen. However, with only seven World Championship points for Red Bull compared to Verstappen’s 137, Tsunoda has yet to make a significant impression. Marko now even suggests that Red Bull no longer stands a chance at the Constructors’ Championship due to Tsunoda.
Red Bull took home just one World Championship point from the Spanish Grand Prix. In contrast, rival team McLaren left the Spanish circuit with 43 points. According to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, the situation is clear. “We’ve already dismissed the idea of winning the Constructors’ Championship; we no longer stand a chance,” Marko states.
The Austrian does not hesitate to partly blame the newest Red Bull driver. “Of course, this is also due to our second driver, as Yuki Tsunoda is off to a slow start,” Marko continues. “Tsunoda has scored just one World Championship point in the last three races, which is clearly not good enough.”
The advisor admits that Tsunoda is technically behind Max Verstappen. The Japanese driver damaged crucial parts of his RB21 during his crash in the Imola qualification. “But that’s not the decisive factor,” Marko explains, indicating that the difference in equipment is not the main reason for Tsunoda’s disappointing results. “What is serious, however, is that Yuki often lags by only a tenth of a second in free practice, and when it comes to qualification, the gap widens. Then the pressure mounts, and he struggles with that. Moreover, he cannot adapt as quickly as Max, who doesn’t need a settling-in period.”
Another Chance
Does this mean that Tsunoda should start packing his bags? Marko wants to give the Japanese driver another fair chance. “Yuki still has issues with the car. He needs more time, and he will get it. We expect him to be in the car until the end of the season.”
