Max Verstappen came to the defense of his Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who finished a shocking last place in Q1. Verstappen’s colorful remark that Tsunoda “is not a pancake” – a Dutch slang term implying someone isn’t a failure – was paired with a cryptic suggestion that the Japanese driver’s struggles might point to a larger problem within the Red Bull team. The four-time world champion’s comments have sparked speculation about the ongoing challenges with Red Bull’s second driver seat and the performance of the RB21 car.
Tsunoda, who was promoted to Red Bull from Racing Bulls after just two races in the 2025 season, faced a torrid time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Despite reporting a “clean lap” over the team radio, he was left bewildered and crestfallen after qualifying in P20, even trailing Franco Colapinto, who failed to complete Q1 due to mechanical issues. Tsunoda’s struggles were compounded by suspicions of car damage, as he asked his team to check the floor of his RB21 during the session. This marked another low point in what has been a challenging transition to Red Bull’s senior team for the 25-year-old Japanese driver, who has managed only 10 points in the Drivers’ Championship compared to Verstappen’s 88.
Verstappen, who qualified third behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, was quick to deflect blame from Tsunoda. Speaking to Dutch media, he suggested that the RB21’s tricky handling, rather than Tsunoda’s ability, was the root cause of the qualifying disaster. “He’s not a pancake, right? When he was in those Racing Bulls, he always looked good compared to Hadjar,” Verstappen said, referencing Tsunoda’s stronger performances at Red Bull’s sister team alongside rookie Isack Hadjar. Verstappen’s remarks were echoed by Hadjar, who also defended Tsunoda, stating, “Yuki is definitely worth more than a P20, that’s for sure.”
The reigning champion’s comments carried a pointed undertone, as he hinted at systemic issues within Red Bull. “This [with the second driver] has been going on for a long time. Maybe that’s a sign. Of what? You can fill that in yourself,” Verstappen said, leaving reporters to speculate whether he was alluding to the car’s design or the team’s driver selection strategy. Red Bull has faced persistent challenges in finding a suitable teammate for Verstappen since Sergio Perez’s form slumped in 2023. Perez was replaced by Liam Lawson at the end of 2024, but Lawson’s struggles in the first two races of 2025 led to Tsunoda’s promotion. However, Tsunoda’s tenure has been marred by incidents, including a costly crash in qualifying at Imola that forced him to start from the pit lane.
The RB21’s difficult handling has been a recurring theme this season, with Verstappen himself noting its weaknesses in low-speed corners and over bumps, as seen in Monaco where he qualified fifth. Despite these challenges, Verstappen has managed to extract remarkable performances, securing two race wins and a P3 in the Drivers’ Championship, 25 points behind leader Piastri. Tsunoda, however, has struggled to adapt, with his best result being a ninth-place finish in Bahrain. Team principal Christian Horner has emphasized the importance of Tsunoda closing the performance gap to Verstappen to bolster Red Bull’s slim hopes in the Constructors’ Championship, where they trail McLaren by 148 points.
Tsunoda’s qualifying woes in Spain have reignited questions about his future at Red Bull, with some suggesting his seat could be at risk if the results don’t improve. Verstappen’s defense, however, indicates a belief that the car’s setup, which he described as lacking grip, is a significant factor in Tsunoda’s struggles. Former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat, who was replaced by Verstappen in 2016, dismissed the notion that the RB21 is tailored solely to Verstappen’s driving style but acknowledged the difficulty of matching the Dutchman’s exceptional adaptability.