Christian Horner has reaffirmed Red Bull’s commitment to supporting Yuki Tsunoda as the Japanese driver continues to adjust to life at the front of the Formula 1 grid. The Team Principal remains confident in Tsunoda’s talent, emphasising that confidence and consistency are the keys to unlocking his full potential.
A late promotion and a mixed start
Following the first two rounds of the 2026 campaign, Red Bull promoted Tsunoda from its sister team, Racing Bulls. The 25-year-old took over from Liam Lawson, whose difficult start to the season prompted the reshuffle. Since joining the senior team, Tsunoda has scored points in three of his seven races. However, he has struggled to consistently match the pace of teammate Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda faced particularly challenging weekends in Monaco and Spain, failing to reach Q3 in both qualifying sessions. Currently, he lies 15th in the Drivers’ Championship with 10 points. In stark contrast, Verstappen has accumulated 134 of Red Bull’s 144 points, further highlighting the gap between the two drivers.
Confidence the crucial missing piece
When questioned in Barcelona about Tsunoda’s progress and how the team might help him gain a better grasp of the RB21, Horner focused on the importance of driver confidence.
“I think the only thing that we can do is give him time and support and try and get a set-up that he has got confidence in,” Horner explained. “Driving these cars is all about confidence, and that is what he needs to find. I think he will get there.
“He is fast. He has just got to piece it all together. We keep seeing flashes of performance. We just need to see him put it all together. I think he is capable of that.”
Tsunoda himself believed a stronger result was within reach in Spain before the timing of the Safety Car disrupted his race. However, he ultimately finished outside the points again, leaving more questions about his ability to deliver consistently.
Speculation mounts around the second Red Bull seat
Red Bull’s second seat has long been a revolving door, with previous occupants including Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Perez. Consequently, rumours continue to swirl about potential replacements, especially with Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar impressing early in his debut season.
When asked if Hadjar could be in line for a promotion, Horner deflected the question with a touch of humour, while reinforcing that the team remains focused on Tsunoda’s development.
“I think I am going to take a leaf out of Flavio [Briatore’s] book and say, ‘I do not want to answer it,’” Horner replied. “Look, it is early days for Yuki. He is still settling in.”
Horner continued, “He has been in Q3, scored points, he has scored points from the pit lane. He has had a few incidents as well, so he has a long way to go. We will decide. We have got plenty of time on our side.”
Red Bull holding firm on development path
While external pressure and media speculation persist, Red Bull, or at least Horner, appears determined to support Tsunoda through this transitional phase. The team recognises his raw pace and aims to help him convert isolated flashes of brilliance into regular points finishes.
Ultimately, Horner’s message is clear: Tsunoda has the speed, and with the right backing, he could yet prove himself a worthy contender alongside Verstappen. For now, the team’s focus lies in building his confidence and allowing time to bring all the pieces together.
