Laurent Mekies insists Yuki Tsunoda’s Italian GP was still “good” as assessments continue

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has insisted that Yuki Tsunoda still had a “good weekend”, despite another point-less finish during the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. 

The 25-year-old driver has come under a large amount of scrutiny since joining Red Bull ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. With his current contract expiring at the end of 2025, and having scored only nine points since moving from Racing Bulls, Tsunoda is under pressure for a 2026 contract.

“So, the same as on you guys, quali pace, race pace, that’s what we look at, it’s as simple as that,” Mekies explained to the media when asked what the team will look at to assess the Japanese driver.

Tsunoda finished the race in 13th after clashes with both Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, the first of which left him with damage for the remainder of the race.

“Today’s race for Yuki is difficult to read because of the traffic in the first stint, damage in the second stint. But I look at yesterday’s qualifying, I still qualify it as a good weekend. He was two tenths from Max [Verstappen] in Q1. Max was not exactly slow this weekend and with a small deficit from the car, he was two tenths from Max in Q2.

“There is no doubt everybody is pushing 100% in Q2, and yes, the gap was bigger in Q3, but first he put the car in Q3, which is a very good performance, and second, he was first on the road in Q3. It didn’t help as well, so I think short run pace was a very good sample for Yuki, long run pace, it’s frustrating not to have a clean race day.”

When asked if he agreed that Tsunoda struggles more in race pace than qualifying, unlike some of Verstappen’s previous team-mates, Mekies explained that it is hard to assess that without a “clean sample” race.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images

“Clean samples, because today was a poor sample. You know how it is, the races at the front are very clean, you get at least a good stint to read your performance. Here, it’s very difficult to get anything out of today.

“First stint in traffic, second stint with car damage. If I look back at the last couple of races, it’s quite similar. I think it is correct to say that we probably have more work to do on the race pace than on the qualifying pace with Yuki. But again, it’s also why we are giving ourselves a bit more time.”

The Milton Keynes outfit has previously confirmed that a decision will be made on Tsunoda’s future around the Mexican Grand Prix.

Photos from Italian GP – Race