Yuki Tsunoda has revealed what he believes he wants to attain over the remaining 10 races this 12 months so as to maintain his Crimson Bull seat for the 2026 season.
The Japanese driver has endured a troublesome 2025 marketing campaign to date after being moved into the senior Crimson Bull crew from Racing Bulls after simply two races, swapping locations with Liam Lawson.
Since then, crew mate and reigning four-time World Champion Max Verstappen has taken two victories and sits third within the Drivers’ Championship, whereas Tsunoda has solely managed three factors finishes, the final of these coming on the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix again in Might.
Forward of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Tsunoda admitted that the summer season break had put into focus what he wanted to attain over the remaining races this season so as to attempt to safe himself a spot on the grid subsequent 12 months.
“Rating factors, I believe that is the principle factor. That is it,” he instructed the media on Thursday.
“It has been some time since I scored factors however on the similar time, in these moments I did not rating factors I additionally knew that I used to be [going] in the appropriate path and particularly the final two races earlier than the summer season break after I received upgrades, I type of proved to myself and proved to them that I am nonetheless there.
“Its good that I will present some efficiency there however on the similar time clearly it is a crew, that is why I would like the factors and what I must do for the second half.”
Hypothesis has continued to develop over the season over who will accomplice Verstappen on the crew subsequent 12 months, with Isack Hadjar a attainable choice having impressed in his maiden F1 season.
Tsunoda admits that dealing with such pressures is nothing new, having been a part of Crimson Bull’s driver pool since his F1 debut again in 2021.
“I believe it is the standard story in F1. This case, these sorts of stress is a part of the world and a part of, unsure you’ll be able to say the wonder, however it’s what it’s,” he mentioned.
“I simply concentrate on myself. I received used to it with these type of rumours within the final 5 years however I perceive additionally on the similar time, the second half [of the season] is basically vital for me as properly, so I simply maintain pushing and put all of it collectively.”
