Yuki Tsunoda’s highly anticipated debut with Red Bull Racing at the Japanese Grand Prix left the young driver with “mixed feelings” as he finished 12th, just outside the points, in a race he described as “pretty frustrating.” The home hero, racing in front of his passionate Japanese fans, had hoped for a stronger showing after being promoted from Racing Bulls to partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen. However, a combination of qualifying struggles and race-day setbacks hindered his performance at Suzuka.
Tsunoda’s journey to his Red Bull debut was a whirlwind. After Liam Lawson’s lackluster start to the 2025 season in the Red Bull seat, the team made a bold move to swap the New Zealander with Tsunoda just two races into the campaign. The decision thrust Tsunoda into the spotlight at his home Grand Prix, a moment he had long dreamed of. Early signs were promising, with Tsunoda showing competitive pace in free practice sessions, at times closing the gap to Verstappen. But the weekend took a downward turn during qualifying, where he managed only 15th on the grid after a critical error in Q2.
“I was definitely expecting more,” Tsunoda admitted after the race. “At least I wanted to finish in the points, so it’s tough, especially for my home Grand Prix.” Despite the disappointing result, he remained optimistic about his growth with the team. “I’m happy with the race in terms of my performance, and I learned a lot over the 53 laps. Every lap I was getting more confidence in the car.”
The race itself offered some redemption as Tsunoda clawed his way up from 15th, overtaking rivals including Lawson—now back at Racing Bulls—and Pierre Gasly. However, his charge stalled behind Fernando Alonso’s 11th-placed car, leaving him 58 seconds adrift of Verstappen, who cruised to victory from pole position. A strategic choice to run a higher-downforce setup, aimed at adapting to potential rain that never materialized, also hampered Tsunoda’s ability to overtake on Suzuka’s notoriously tricky layout.
Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko offered a measured assessment of Tsunoda’s debut. “Overtaking here is incredibly difficult. He drove a solid race, but it shows how important qualifying is,” Marko told Sky Germany. The comment echoed Tsunoda’s own reflections on his Q2 exit, where he struggled with tire preparation and a gust of wind at Turn 2 threw him off line. “Q1 felt pretty good, but I just missed the window,” he said post-qualifying.
Team principal Christian Horner, meanwhile, expressed confidence in Tsunoda’s ability to bounce back. “He’s settled in well and was right there all weekend until that moment in qualifying. I’m sure he’ll make a step forward in the next races,” Horner noted. The support from the Red Bull camp was palpable, with mechanics offering encouragement after the race—a gesture Tsunoda appreciated despite the result.
For Tsunoda, the weekend was a steep learning curve in the RB21, a car known for its narrow operating window and tricky handling. “The 53 laps I got in this race were the most I’ve had in this car,” he said. “Finally, I got decent laps in, and I definitely feel more confidence now.” That newfound familiarity will be crucial as he heads to the Bahrain International Circuit next weekend, eager to score his first points for Red Bull.