Tost: Tsunoda not 'dedicated enough' for F1
"He must analyze the data round the clock."
10 September 2025 - 15:37
Yuki Tsunoda’s Formula 1 career is facing increasing scrutiny, as his former boss Franz Tost cautioned that the Japanese driver is not doing enough to secure his position at Red Bull.
"Yuki has a lot of natural speed, but maybe that’s part of the issue," Tost remarked to Servus TV.
"He’s consistently delivered strong performances in lower categories like Formula 2 and Formula 3, but it seems to have come easily for him. Yuki is talented, but he lacks the eagerness and diligence to leverage that talent fully."
Tost emphasized that the 25-year-old must demonstrate a newfound and significant level of commitment if he wishes to remain with the main Red Bull team or possibly revert to the junior team.
"He needs to analyze the data incessantly to reduce the gap to Verstappen," the retired Austrian stated. "Whether he has a future with the team, let alone in Formula 1 at all, depends on him.
"He must definitely enhance his performance."
Sky Deutschland analyst Ralf Schumacher was even more straightforward: "I can’t imagine there being a spot for Yuki Tsunoda."
Focus has increasingly shifted to Isack Hadjar, who shone with a debut podium at Zandvoort and delivered another solid performance at Monza on Sunday. Nico Rosberg lauded the French driver on Sky: "Another excellent race."
However, the 2016 world champion also cautioned against entering Verstappen’s shadow. "What if Laurent Mekies contacts him on Monday and says, 'Yuki's out, you can race next time?' Then he’ll have to decline, right?
"I would refuse without a doubt. In fact, I would say, 'No, I won’t do it - don’t try to pressure me.'"
The German highlighted the many teammates of Verstappen who have struggled or lost their positions: Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and now Tsunoda.
"Have you seen how risky that is?" Rosberg questioned. "How many careers has Red Bull ruined?
"Everyone is aware of Tsunoda’s situation - his career is hanging by a thread. And yet at Racing Bulls, everything seems perfect."
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Tost: Tsunoda not 'dedicated enough' for F1
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