Red Bull Awaiting More ‘Clean Samples’ for Tsunoda’s Future
Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies has indicated that the organization requires further evaluation of Yuki Tsunoda’s performance before making decisions about his future amid ongoing midfield challenges. Tsunoda’s prospects took a hit at the Italian Grand Prix, where a collision with former teammate Liam Lawson resulted in floor damage and left him without any points, while teammate Max Verstappen claimed victory.
Why Red Bull Needs More Time to Assess Tsunoda
Mekies expressed a need for “clean samples” of performance, as Tsunoda’s recent races have not provided clear insights due to the unpredictability of the midfield. The challenge lies not only in qualifying but also in race conditions where Tsunoda has struggled to demonstrate his capabilities outside of a strong qualifying session.
The Impact of Midfield Traffic
At Monza, Tsunoda showed promising speed by advancing to Q3 and being competitive in the earlier sessions, clocking within two-tenths of Verstappen. However, a lack of clean air during the race hampered his performance, culminating in another frustrating outing. Mekies remarked that the race conditions made it difficult to assess Tsunoda effectively, stating, “The race for Yuki is difficult to read because of the traffic in the first stint, damage in the second stint.”
Tsunoda’s Qualifying Performance
Despite the turmoil in the race, Mekies highlighted Tsunoda’s qualifying performance as a positive note. “He was two tenths from Max in Q1 and Q2, and that’s not an insignificant gap given the stakes,” he said. However, he acknowledged that Tsunoda must improve in race trim to align more closely with Verstappen’s consistent performance.
Future Outlook and Team Dynamics
Red Bull is looking to finalize their driver line-up by the end of October, with speculation pointing towards a potential promotion for junior driver Isack Hadjar. The team sees the upcoming races as crucial in evaluating Tsunoda. Mekies reiterated the need for a thorough assessment: “We are giving ourselves a bit more time,” indicating that while Tsunoda has shown promise in qualifying, there remain significant concerns regarding his race performance.
Upcoming Changes to the Car
For the next race in Azerbaijan, both Tsunoda and Verstappen are expected to feature the same updated floor specification. This could potentially level the playing field as Mekies emphasized that the recent performance surge was more about an overhaul of the team’s setup philosophy rather than just a floor upgrade.
Conclusion
With a critical juncture ahead for both Tsunoda and Red Bull Racing, the team is eagerly awaiting further evidence of the 25-year-old’s potential. The evolving dynamics within Red Bull’s driver program will be closely monitored as they approach the deadline for their decision.