Yuki Tsunoda “frustrated” after “miscommunication” cost him points in Belgian GP

Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda was left frustrated after crossing the line to finish 13th in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Japanese driver explained that a “miscommunication” with the team over a pitstop cost him crucial points. After 13 races of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Tsunoda has accumulated just 10 championship points – four from grands prix and six during sprint races.

Since stepping into the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen, he has struggled to find the same performance in the RB21 as the four-time champion – a recurring issue for the second driver at the Milton Keynes outfit.

The race started behind the safety car and with all drivers on intermediate tyres. It was the timing of the first pitstop which proved imperative to get right. The Japanese driver missed the optimal moment for the stop, which hindered the rest of his race. Helmut Marko confirmed this to Motorsport.com and other media after the race.

“Yes, there was a miscommunication and then his speed was also not good,” he explained.

Tsunoda was understandably frustrated as another race passed him by with a finish outside the top 10.

“Very frustrating, it already started from a miscommunication, or I don’t know what to say more than that, to swap the tyres. They called me at a late moment, just after the pit entry. For one lap, this kind of long track is very decisive, and unfortunately, I lost that opportunity. I lost four positions, five positions, whatever, and I was stuck behind Pierre. I tried my best to overtake him, but unfortunately, I couldn’t.”

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images

After the pitstop, the 25-year-old continued to struggle with a lack of straightline speed.

“Yeah, the straightline speed, I struggled for it. Unfortunately, there was no speed to overtake. I tried my best throughout the lap, but again the tyres were gone,” he added.

Tsunoda sits 17th in the drivers’ standings. In comparison, Verstappen is third with 185 points. Oscar Piastri leads with 266 points and his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris sits second with 250.