1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Yuki Tsunoda’s future at Crimson Bull is a “huge query mark” heading into the second half of the 2025 season.
Tsunoda lastly received his Crimson Bull probability three races into the 2025 F1 marketing campaign, changing Liam Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Like his predecessor, Tsunoda has struggled for tempo, lagging effectively behind teammate Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda has scored factors simply thrice for Crimson Bull, ending no larger than ninth.
The newest spherical at Silverstone was one other low level for Tsunoda after he completed final.
It appears unlikely Tsunoda will retain his drive for subsequent yr, even when Verstappen leaves the group.
Whereas Villeneuve acknowledged that Tsunoda is a “good driver”, he’s not “distinctive”.
“How lengthy Yuki Tsunoda will keep at Crimson Bull is the opposite huge query mark,” he informed the official F1 web site.
“He was pushing so laborious to go from the small group to the massive group. He’s an excellent driver, however it’s a must to be distinctive… it’s a must to be a Lewis, it’s a must to be a Fernando [Alonso], it’s a must to be a Piastri or a Norris.”
Will Tsunoda be on the grid for 2026?
If Yuki Tsunoda is dropped by Crimson Bull, it appears unlikely that he will likely be on the grid in 2026.
Based on varied studies, if Verstappen stays, Isack Hadjar will doubtless be his teammate.
Lawson will stay at Racing Bulls, probably alongside present F2 star Arvid Lindblad.
Lindblad is highly-rated by Crimson Bull bosses and drove for the group in FP1 on the British GP.
Tsunoda will want an upturn in type to safe his seat subsequent yr.
The arrival of Laurent Mekies as group principal may give him a fine addition.
Nevertheless, seats elsewhere are principally crammed.
Cadillac will turn into F1’s eleventh group in 2026, and so they have been closely linked with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
Alternatively, Mick Schumacher revealed he had held constructive talks with the American group.
