As Formula 1 rolled into the lively streets of Miami for the 2025 Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda faced the media with a candid assessment of his progress this season. Following his high-profile move to Red Bull Racing, replacing Sergio Pérez, the Japanese driver is under the microscope more than ever. During Thursday’s press conference, Tsunoda reflected on the challenges of driving the RB21, his struggles in qualifying, and how a change in lifestyle is helping him cope with the pressures of life in Formula 1.
Adapting to the RB21
Tsunoda began by addressing the elephant in the room — the performance gap between him and his teammate Max Verstappen. While not overly critical of himself, Tsunoda admitted that driving the RB21 has required a major adjustment compared to his previous car at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB).
“The RB21 is not necessarily more difficult,” he explained, “but it’s a lot more sensitive. It performs best in a very narrow window.” He noted that compared to the more forgiving VCARB package, the Red Bull demands more from the driver in terms of precision and consistency — especially when it comes to setup changes and tire preparation.
This transition hasn’t been seamless. Tsunoda acknowledged that while he is getting more comfortable race by race, there’s still work to be done to fully master the nuances of a car that was built around Verstappen’s extremely aggressive style. “You have to be very accurate. A small mistake or misjudgment with the RB21 has a bigger penalty than with other cars I’ve driven,” he added.
Qualifying Performance
Tsunoda’s qualifying pace has come under scrutiny, particularly his performance in Q3 sessions. While he’s consistently made it into the final qualifying segment, he hasn’t been able to extract the maximum from the RB21 when it counts most.
“Getting through Q1 and Q2 is okay,” Tsunoda said, “but I feel like I leave something on the table in Q3.” He attributed this to a mix of inexperience with the car at the limit and occasional overdriving. “There are times I try to push that little bit more, and the car responds differently than I expect.”
He also mentioned that optimizing tire warm-up procedures and car balance in the final flying laps remains a challenge. The Red Bull, known for its precision, doesn’t offer the same margin for error Tsunoda may have been used to. Improving in this area, he says, is key to fighting for better grid positions and avoiding the midfield chaos that often disrupts Sunday results.
Living Arrangements and Well-being
One of the more personal insights Tsunoda shared was his recent move to live in Italy full-time. The decision to settle in Europe — and not return to the UK where Red Bull’s operations are headquartered — was a deliberate one.
“I find Italy more relaxing,” he said with a smile. “The food, the weather, the people — it helps me reset between races.” He noted that the more tranquil environment allows him to focus on physical training, nutrition, and mental well-being without the added stress of media obligations and public attention.
Tsunoda admitted that in past seasons, he sometimes let the pressures of performance get the better of him. Living in Italy, he said, has helped him develop better off-track habits and detach from the intense race weekend emotions. “I’ve matured a lot in the last year, and that includes how I handle pressure and my personal life,” he shared.
Looking Ahead
When asked about his goals for the remainder of the season, Tsunoda didn’t shy away from admitting that he still has a steep learning curve ahead. “I’m happy with the progress, but I’m not where I want to be yet,” he said.
He remains focused on improving consistency, particularly on Saturdays, and understanding the RB21’s performance envelope more thoroughly. “Every lap I do in this car, I’m learning something. That’s how I’m treating each weekend — as another step in the process.”
Despite the mounting pressure that comes with a Red Bull seat, Tsunoda appeared confident in his ability to rise to the occasion. “I have the best car, the best engineers, and the best teammate to learn from,” he concluded. “Now it’s up to me to make the most of it.”
As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, Tsunoda’s outlook is clear: methodical progress over flashy results. And with his improved maturity and focus, there’s every reason to believe that the Japanese driver is well on his way to justifying Red Bull’s faith in his potential.
Would you like a follow-up blog covering his on-track performance in qualifying or the race this weekend?
