Yuki Tsunoda, who was a driver for Red Bull Racing, has shared his reflections on the year he spent alongside Max Verstappen. In a recent episode of the podcast Beyond The Grid, Tsunoda admitted that his time at the team was not only a competitive challenge but also impacted his mental health.
In recent years, the second seat at Red Bull has been a torment for several drivers, such as Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and Sergio Pérez. For all of them, the pressure of competing with Verstappen has brought difficulties in their careers and personal well-being, and Tsunoda was no exception.
After a team change through a substitution, Tsunoda faced a complicated year and finished in the 17th position of the drivers’ championship, while Verstappen fought for the title, missing out on first place by only two points.
Tsunoda has described 2025 as his hardest year. The frustration of not being able to match his teammate’s performance was overwhelming. ‘I learned a lot, but the situation was very tiring. Not just driving, but also trying to find the energy and motivation to carry on,’ he explained.
At his lowest points, Tsunoda acknowledges that he wasn’t enjoying driving as he used to, reflecting deeply on his well-being off the track. The distance from his friends and family in Japan amplified his feelings of isolation, an aspect he had never considered during his sports career.
As the championship calendar progressed, Tsunoda sought help to overcome this difficult moment, both from coaches and professionals in psychology. Despite the demanding circuits, he found time to reflect on himself and his personal priorities.
With his current situation, after taking a few steps back and getting a new opportunity to show his talent, Tsunoda optimistically expressed that the pressure he feels now cannot be compared to what he experienced during his time at Red Bull. ‘I don’t think any moment in my career can be as complicated as what I went through last year,’ he concluded, determined to learn from his mistakes and grow as a driver.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
