Verstappen’s Shocking Silence: Tsunoda Faces Red Bull Challenges Alone Amid Team Tensions
Formula 1 is abuzz with tension as Max Verstappen’s cryptic comments and Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull reveal underlying issues within the team ahead of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. The drama unfolded after Red Bull’s ruthless decision to drop Liam Lawson following just two lackluster races in the 2025 season, replacing him with Tsunoda, who now faces the daunting task of adapting to the RB21 with minimal preparation. Verstappen, the team’s star driver, has openly questioned Red Bull’s strategy, while Tsunoda’s revelation that Verstappen “won’t tell the truth” about the car has sparked concerns about team dynamics and the challenges of driving a notoriously tricky Red Bull machine.
The saga began after the Chinese Grand Prix on March 23, 2025, when Red Bull confirmed Lawson’s demotion to the junior team, VCARB, after he failed to score points in the season’s opening rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Despite Lawson’s struggles, Verstappen publicly disagreed with the move, liking a post from former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella that supported Lawson. “I liked the text, so I guess that speaks for itself,” Verstappen told Motorsport.com, adding fuel to the fire. The three-time world champion (2021-2023) hinted at deeper frustrations, stating, “Our main issue is that our car is not where we want it to be.” He pointed to persistent problems with tire wear and the car’s narrow operating window—issues that have plagued Red Bull since 2024, when McLaren and Ferrari began closing the gap. While Verstappen has consistently extracted the best from the RB21, his teammates have struggled, a pattern seen with previous second drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon.
Verstappen’s comments suggest a belief that Red Bull should focus on improving the car rather than shuffling drivers. “As soon as the car is more competitive and more drivable, it will come to the second car more naturally,” he said, a subtle critique of the team’s cutthroat approach. His frustration was palpable, but what has truly stunned fans is his apparent reluctance to support Tsunoda, who was promoted with just two weeks to prepare for his Red Bull debut at his home race in Suzuka on April 6, 2025. Tsunoda, who has spent the past four seasons with VCARB, admitted to Planet F1 that Verstappen offered little guidance. “Not really, to be honest,” Tsunoda said when asked if Verstappen had shared advice. “Even if I tap his shoulder and ask about the car, I don’t think he’s going to say the truth. I’ve just got to discover myself.”
Tsunoda’s comments reveal a stark reality: he’s on his own in navigating the RB21’s challenges. With only two simulator sessions since the announcement, the 24-year-old Japanese driver has turned to studying Verstappen’s onboard footage from the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix to prepare. “I didn’t feel the trickiness yet, but I’ll feel it for myself,” Tsunoda added, showing a mix of determination and uncertainty as he steps into the high-pressure environment of Red Bull Racing. Verstappen, meanwhile, downplayed his role in mentoring Tsunoda, telling Planet F1, “It’s not really up to me. He has to find out himself because my experience might not be his experience.” The lack of communication between the two drivers has raised eyebrows, with fans on X speculating about potential friction within the team.
As the Japanese Grand Prix approaches, all eyes are on Tsunoda’s debut and Red Bull’s ability to address their car’s shortcomings. Verstappen, who sits second in the 2025 drivers’ standings behind McLaren’s Lando Norris after three races, remains the team’s best hope for a win at Suzuka, where he has triumphed the last three years. But Tsunoda’s performance could either validate Red Bull’s decision or expose deeper cracks in the team’s strategy. With Verstappen’s focus on the car’s flaws and Tsunoda left to fend for himself, Red Bull faces a critical moment—can they unite as a team, or will internal tensions derail their 2025 campaign?
