Tsunoda Starts Final Red Bull Race Weekend with Worrying Lack of Pace

On a day when Red Bull already looked under pressure from McLaren and Lando Norris at Yas Marina, Tsunoda’s lack of rhythm added another layer of difficulty. Instead of operating with two cars in the fight at the sharp end, Red Bull effectively found itself relying once again on Max Verstappen alone.

A poor FP2 that underlines Tsunoda’s struggles

FP2 in Abu Dhabi is the key reference session of the weekend. In that context, Tsunoda’s 17th place is particularly alarming. Tsunoda admitted he “doesn’t know what’s going on” with his lack of pace, while Helmut Marko and the Red Bull camp were left disappointed by how far he was from Verstappen.

• Qualifying simulations: Nowhere near the benchmark set by the leaders.
• Race‑run data: Less representative of the conditions Verstappen will face.
• Track position: Prospects for Sunday are compromised before the weekend has truly begun.

Marko’s expectations versus Tsunoda’s reality

Helmut Marko has been clear throughout the season about what he expects from the second Red Bull: a driver close enough to Verstappen to influence strategy. In Abu Dhabi, those expectations are not being met.

With Tsunoda down in 17th, there is no realistic way for him to assist Verstappen in qualifying or in the race through direct on‑track positioning. This gap is especially stark given that Red Bull is already “not in a very comfortable situation” compared to McLaren.

Why Tsunoda’s pace matters so much for Verstappen

In modern Formula 1, the second car is a crucial part of a team’s tactical arsenal. A competitive Tsunoda could cover McLaren’s strategies, occupy track position that complicates Norris’s race, and provide a buffer for Verstappen.

With Tsunoda languishing in the lower midfield, Red Bull loses much of this leverage. Verstappen is left to fight largely alone against a McLaren team that has both pace and, in Norris, a driver operating near the peak of his confidence.

Technical and confidence issues

Tsunoda’s confusion points to a combination of technical and confidence‑related factors:

• Balance limitations: Inconsistent rear grip on corner exit makes building rhythm difficult.
• Tyre warm‑up: Optimising out‑laps is critical for qualifying simulations.
• Track evolution: Drivers who misjudge the rapidly improving grip levels can lose significant time.
• Psychological pressure: Starting a final race weekend knowing his future role is a reserve creates a complex mental environment.

Conclusion: Verstappen isolated

Yuki Tsunoda’s difficult FP2 has left Red Bull in an awkward position. In his final weekend as a race driver for the team, he is currently too far off the pace to offer meaningful support to Max Verstappen at a time when McLaren is setting the standard.

For Helmut Marko and Red Bull, this is precisely the scenario they wanted to avoid. Unless Tsunoda and his crew can unlock significant performance before qualifying, Red Bull’s strategic options will remain limited, and the burden on Verstappen will be heavier than ever.