Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull future questioned by Jacques Villeneuve: “Have to be exceptional”

1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has raised questions about Yuki Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull.

The Japanese driver joined the Milton Keynes outfit ahead of his home race in Suzuka, replacing rookie Liam Lawson after just two race weekends of the season. But Tsunoda has also struggled to get to grips with the troublesome RB21, which team-mate Max Verstappen is also finding issues with. Since joining the team, Tsunoda has scored just seven points in 10 races. 

Although the 25-year-old is still adapting to the team and car, Red Bull has insisted that he will remain in the seat until the end of the year.

When discussing what to look out for in the second half of the season with F1.com, Villeneuve explained that he will be watching Tsunoda’s progress. 

“How long Yuki Tsunoda will stay at Red Bull is the other big question mark. He was pushing so hard to go from the small team to the big team. He’s a good driver, but you have to be exceptional… You have to be a Lewis, you have to be a Fernando, you have to be a Piastri or a Norris.”

Tsunoda spoke about adapting to the team in April during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. 

“It’s just difficult. It’s not easy being in the window which this car operates, which is quite narrow,” he explained.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

“I’m trying lots of things to be in that window consistently. It’s natural that I’ll be up and down, which I had in free practice. I just won’t rush it, and progress step by step.

“Long run in P2 was not good but at the same time, the car is different as well. Also, the run I had then was not really amazing for myself, so just have to tune it slightly more as a driver and also the car, to drive fast.

“But I have ok confidence, not great, ok confidence.” 

The Red Bull driver’s struggles put him 17th in the drivers’ standings with 10 points after 12 races of the season. Verstappen currently sits third in the championship with 165 points.