Ferrari’s Major Upgrade Looms as Yuki Tsunoda Sets Bold Red Bull Target
The Formula 1 paddock is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025 season heads to the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6, with Yuki Tsunoda making his Red Bull debut and Ferrari teasing a crucial upgrade to address their early struggles. Tsunoda, recently promoted to Red Bull Racing after Liam Lawson’s demotion, has set an ambitious goal of a podium finish at his home race in Suzuka, while Ferrari aims to rebound from a double disqualification in China with a new floor upgrade planned for Bahrain. As the season intensifies, both stories highlight the high stakes and fierce competition in F1.
Tsunoda’s promotion marks a significant moment for the Japanese driver, who replaces Lawson after just two races in the main Red Bull team. Speaking at a Honda event, as quoted by Motorsport.com, Tsunoda expressed his disbelief and excitement: “I never expected to be racing for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix. This is the final year of Red Bull and Honda’s partnership, so it feels like fate.” The 24-year-old, who impressed during a postseason test in Abu Dhabi with the Red Bull car, is aiming high for his debut. “I don’t want to raise expectations too much, but I want to finish on the podium,” he added. However, with Lawson now back at the Red Bull junior team, questions linger about whether Tsunoda can deliver in the second Red Bull seat—or if Lawson might outshine him in the sister squad.
Meanwhile, Ferrari is grappling with a rocky start to 2025, compounded by the disqualification of both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the Chinese Grand Prix. Leclerc’s car was 1kg underweight, while Hamilton’s had excessive floor wear, costing the team 18 points and leaving them 61 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings. Team principal Fred Vasseur, speaking to French outlet Auto Hebdo, warned that more disqualifications could follow across the grid as teams push limits. “The goal in F1 is to get to the last gram of weight, the last tenth of a millimeter of the plank,” he said, as reported by Planet F1. “The more intense the battle, the more risks we need to take.” Ferrari’s early season woes—eighth and 10th in Australia, fifth and sixth in China before the DSQ—have exposed vulnerabilities, despite Hamilton’s sprint race win in Shanghai.
A glimmer of hope emerges for Ferrari with a reported upgrade set for the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 11-13. Posts on X and reports from The Race indicate the SF-25 has struggled with a narrow ride height window, leading to inconsistent performance. The new floor, initially rumored for Japan, aims to expand the usable ride height range, indirectly addressing the issue while boosting overall pace. This update, planned since January, isn’t a direct fix but a step toward consistency across varied tracks—a critical factor for Ferrari to close the gap to McLaren and Mercedes.
As Tsunoda chases a dream podium and Ferrari fights to regain its footing, the Japanese Grand Prix promises drama. Can Tsunoda deliver for Red Bull, and will Ferrari’s upgrades turn their season around? The F1 world is watching.
