What areas does Yuki Tsunoda need to improve in to retain his Red Bull seat in 2026? Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko and Tsunoda’s former team boss Franz Tost are lending a hand. Marko also immediately compliments Tsunoda: ‘None of the other drivers were at his level in free practice.’
Yuki Tsunoda has completed his third race weekend as a Red Bull driver. The Japanese driver qualified eighth for the Saudi Arabian GP, but unfortunately could not finish the desert race. Tsunoda hit former teammate Pierre Gasly on the track early in the race and subsequently crashed into the wall.
Despite the disappointing weekend, the driver is becoming more accustomed to his new team. However, Franz Tost, former team boss of Tsunoda’s previous team Racing Bulls, sees a number of areas for improvement for the Japanese driver. “His qualification (in Jeddah) was quite good, but he needs to be more aggressive in the race,” says Tost, who retired at the end of 2023. “But of course he must not forget that he needs to get to know the car better. Especially in the area of tire management, a crucial aspect for the race.”
Marko Compliments Tsunoda
Although Tsunoda still has a few areas for improvement, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is more than satisfied with the Japanese driver. “You know, in free practice, when the pressure is not so high, he only misses two or three tenths,” the Austrian gives Tsunoda a big compliment via Motorsport.com. “None of the other drivers were at that level. In qualifying he drives a bit too hard, but he is on his way to perform and score the points we need. When the pressure is high in qualifying, he still needs to perform.”
