Many top teams, such as Ferrari and McLaren, may have had a subpar weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but not Red Bull. All the lights were on the Milton Keynes outfit as Max Verstappen bagged his 67th Grand Prix win, and Yuki Tsunoda crossed the finish line with an impressive sixth-place finish.
Tsunoda’s encouraging result comes at a crucial time, with the Japanese driver’s performances under a magnifying glass since rumours placed rookie driver, Isack Hadjar, in his RB seat. Did Tsunoda’s top-ten finish in Baku earn him a little more time to prove himself in Formula 1?
A strong drive in Baku strengthens Yuki Tsunoda’s case to stay at Red Bull
During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Tsunoda qualified sixth ahead of the McLarens and Ferraris. Those teams expected to advance, but Tsunoda delivered a spectacular drive and held off Lando Norris – and by default, the Ferraris – to defend his position.
The Japanese driver showed impressive speed, which caught the eye of Red Bull’s team principal, Laurent Mekies, who praised Tsunoda’s “very very serious pace” during the race.
The team principal confirmed Tsunoda’s strong weekend, saying, “It’s his best race with us this year. He was strong in qualifying, he was strong in the race […] He was sometimes two, sometimes three, sometimes four, rarely four-tenths away from Max.”
Following a string of early qualifying exits and no-point finishes in the season, this result may signal a good omen for races to come. Running close to Verstappen on race pace suggests Tsunoda is adapting to the relentless demands of the RB21.
Where Tsunoda stands in the Red Bull picture
Albeit a brilliant performance from the Japanese driver, it does not deny the status quo: Tsunoda has a contract that expires at the end of the 2025 season, and Red Bull seems to be making moves behind the scenes.
Rumours already place Arvid Lindblad in the Racing Bulls seat for 2026, while Isack Hadjar’s stellar rookie season has strongly linked him to the second Red Bull seat. Given Red Bull’s reputation, whether Tsunoda stays or leaves the team likely won’t hinge on this one good weekend. It might be a start, but it’s not the end-all, be-all.
F2 Rising Star Arvid Lindblad Set for F1 Debut With Red Bull Team
Tsunoda will need consistency in his performance, something he has repeatedly said he is working on. The Japanese driver has been spending extra time in simulators and is positive about the improvement.
Yuki Tsunoda seems resolute about keeping his seat next season through hard work. Laurent Mekies put it best: “speed doesn’t disappear, drivers make progress.” Mekies’ words suggest that Yuki has time. Time to prove why he deserves to be in that second seat alongside Max Verstappen in 2026. Perhaps his good run of form began in Baku; the next races will tell.
