'Last Samurai' Tsunoda reveals Red Bull's development is on a McLaren-like path

15:13, 17 May

byNorberto Mujica

For Yuki Tsunoda the chracteristics of Red Bull Racing's car are not as extreme as people seem to think, revealing the Austrian team's development focus.

Much has been said about the characteristics of the 'diva' RB21, but is it as extreme as generally thought? The gap that separates Red Bull Racing from McLaren, Tsunoda believes goes beyond that.

Red Bull focused on cooling and aerodynamic load, not on fixing RB21's traits

"In terms of characteristic of the car, obviously we need development [for performance]. We saw McLaren how fast they are and Max (Verstappen, ed.) also struggled to keep up with the pace."

"I don't think the characteristic difference of the track would make any difference, maybe a little bit, but the gap we had was quite a lot. So it's more than that," added Tsunoda dismissing the Miami International Autodrome's layout as the reason behind the near 40 seconds gap race winner Oscar Piastri had on Verstappen at the flag.

The Red Bull car is quick. It needs some work on the low speed corners, but in the medium and fast bends the RB21 is rapid. Where else are they lacking to McLaren? Among other areas, in keeping its tyres alive, something these next two elements are key for.

"I think we're more focused on the car development. We are, I think, quite happy with the characteristics, but just lacking of the, I guess, load and cooling we have."

Formula 1 World Championship 2025, Round 7, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy, Saturday 17 May 2025 - Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) Red Bull Racing RB21.

Is Tsunoda feeling the heat already?

Driving for Red Bull Racing, the expectations that come with it and the need to perform straight away are some of the mental obstacles drivers have to sort in their quest for success at the Austrian team.

For Tsunoda, however, his own mentality and Red Bull Racing's support structure have managed to keep the pressure within a familiar range for the Japanese driver.

"I'm not relaxed but at the same time I'm not [experiencing a] very high pressure moment I guess. I mean you always feel pressure anyway, naturally very high before qualifying or your last lap in qualifying or whatever."

"I think [the] team [have] supported me a lot especially [in] that area. [They] tried not give me too much pressure and I appreciate that a lot."

"But at the same time, naturally, one of my strengths is that once I wear a helmet I don't really feel anything and [I'm] just able to disconnect with the world I was used to being [in] without [the] helmet [on]."

"So far so good and I feel like I'm able to having a similar kind of pressure or feeling when I used to be in VCARB."{