Yuki Tsunoda gains confidence in RB21 despite Japanese GP qualifying setback

Japanese driver finds positives after tough Suzuka qualifying session.

Yuki Tsunoda speaks to the media in the TV pen during qualifying for the F1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on April 5, 2025, in Suzuka, Japan. Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Yuki Tsunoda starts to understand Red Bull RB21 despite qualifying struggles during the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on Saturday. The Japanese driver, who recently made his debut with the Red Bull Racing team, admitted that while his qualifying result was far from ideal, there were valuable takeaways as he continues to adapt to the RB21.

In front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Suzuka, Tsunoda finished the qualifying session in 15th place. While the result was a disappointment, especially given his strong form in the third free practice session, Tsunoda remained optimistic. He emphasized that he's beginning to develop a deeper feel for the Red Bull car — something that takes time, especially when transitioning from his previous machine at Racing Bulls.

“It’s disappointing, but the positive side is that I’m starting to understand the character of the car,” Tsunoda told the official Formula 1 website. “Operating this car is quite difficult. The dimensions are narrower than VCARB, but at least I’m starting to be confident and know what to do later.”

Adapting to the RB21: A steep learning curve

Yuki Tsunoda’s jump from the Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing represents a major step up in both car complexity and team expectations. The RB21 is a machine designed for championship contention, refined to suit the driving style of Max Verstappen. For Tsunoda, this means a steep learning curve, especially when it comes to understanding the car's aerodynamic behavior, tire performance, and braking sensitivity.

He noted that one of the biggest challenges during qualifying was managing tire warm-up, which ultimately limited his performance in Q1 and Q2.

“I had good pace in FP3. That gave me hope for qualifying. But when the session came, I just couldn’t get the tires into the right window,” Tsunoda explained. “It’s not about pressure. I felt more pressure last year. This time I was trying to enjoy it more and just feel the car. But the tire issue held me back.”

Despite finishing behind Liam Lawson — the driver he replaced at Red Bull — by one position, both drivers will move up a place on the grid for Sunday’s race following Carlos Sainz’s three-place penalty. That means Tsunoda will start 14th, and Lawson 13th.

Building confidence with every lap

Tsunoda's comments make it clear that he sees this weekend as a crucial learning opportunity rather than a setback. Driving in front of Japanese fans at Suzuka has always been a special experience for him, but he is no longer letting that pressure dominate his mindset.

“Last year I felt the weight of expectations. This year, I tried to approach it with more calmness. I wanted to enjoy driving the RB21 and learn as much as I could,” he said. “I know the result isn’t great, but we’re moving forward, and I feel more in control every lap I do.”

This newfound maturity has not gone unnoticed. Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies recently praised Tsunoda's growth, calling it a “360-degree improvement” in terms of technical feedback, calmness, and overall driving intelligence. That praise speaks volumes about how much Tsunoda has evolved over the past year, both as a driver and a team contributor.

Verstappen’s pole highlights Red Bull’s potential

While Tsunoda struggled to extract performance in qualifying, his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen stunned the field by taking pole position in a dramatic Q3 showdown. Verstappen set a blistering lap of 1 minute 26.983 seconds, narrowly edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who had dominated all weekend until that point.

It was Verstappen’s first pole position since the Austrian Grand Prix in June 2024, and a strong reminder of what the RB21 is capable of when handled to its limits.

For Tsunoda, Verstappen’s performance offers both inspiration and a benchmark. He knows that there is still a long way to go in fully mastering the RB21, but seeing what the car can achieve under optimal conditions reinforces his commitment to learning and growing.

What’s next for Tsunoda at Suzuka?

With the main race of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix set to take place on Sunday, all eyes will be on how Yuki Tsunoda translates his growing familiarity with the RB21 into race pace. Starting from 14th on the grid, he’ll need a strong start, clever tire management, and bold overtakes if he hopes to finish in the points in front of his home fans.

The Suzuka Circuit is one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar, featuring high-speed corners like 130R and the legendary "S" Curves. It’s a true driver’s track — one where rhythm, confidence, and precision make all the difference.

If Tsunoda continues his upward trajectory and learns from Saturday’s challenges, there’s every chance that he could surprise in Sunday’s race.

Long-term potential and patience

It’s important to remember that Tsunoda’s move to Red Bull Racing isn’t just about short-term performance. The team sees his potential and is giving him the tools to grow. His honest reflections after qualifying, combined with a willingness to embrace setbacks as part of the learning process, highlight a maturity that wasn’t always present earlier in his F1 career.

Fans in Japan and around the world will be hoping that this weekend marks the beginning of something bigger — a long-term rise for Tsunoda within the elite ranks of Formula 1. While results matter, so does adaptation. And by showing that Yuki Tsunoda starts to understand Red Bull RB21 and what it demands, he’s already taking the right steps.

As the race weekend continues, Tsunoda’s journey at Suzuka will be one to watch closely. From understanding tire behavior to adjusting his braking points and managing race strategy, every detail will count. And every lap will help him grow.

Yuki Tsunoda starts to understand Red Bull RB21 — a crucial development in his Formula 1 career. While qualifying at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix didn’t deliver the result he or his fans had hoped for, the progress he’s made with the car is clear. As he lines up for Sunday’s race, Tsunoda carries not just the support of his home nation but also the momentum of personal growth and technical insight.

Keep an eye on the Suzuka grid. Tsunoda’s story is just beginning.