Jacques Villeneuve says there’s now a ‘big question mark’ over whether £1.5m-a-year F1 driver will complete this season

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The first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season has seen some clear trends emerge up and down the paddock.

It would be a huge surprise if, at this stage, either Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris didn’t win the drivers’ championship.

Max Verstappen is likely to miss out on matching Michael Schumacher’s record of winning five consecutive titles, which has called his Red Bull future into question.

George Russell has been one of the stars of the season, but Mercedes could sign Verstappen if he decides to leave Red Bull, which would put the four-time race winner in a difficult position.

Ferrari have struggled during Lewis Hamilton’s first season with the team, while Williams are currently the best of the rest below the top four teams in the constructors’ championship.

There are several drivers who know they need to improve quickly if they want to avoid being dropped by their respective teams.

Franco Colapinto is under pressure at Alpine, and as the Red Bull conveyor belt of talent continues, Arvid Lindblad is being considered as a replacement for Liam Lawson.

However, Jacques Villeneuve has admitted that Yuki Tsunoda’s position at Red Bull is beginning to concern him.

The £1.5m-a-year driver will be well aware of how quickly he needs to improve to avoid being dropped by new team principal Laurent Mekies.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents

Jacques Villeneuve says there’s a ‘big question mark’ over Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 future

Villeneuve was speaking to Formula 1’s official website and responded when asked about one particular storyline he’s looking out for over the coming months.

He said: “How long Yuki Tsunoda will stay at Red Bull is the other big question mark.

“He was pushing so hard to go from the small team to the big team.

“He’s a good driver, but you have to be exceptional. You have to be a Lewis, you have to be a Fernando [Alonso], you have to be a Piastri or a Norris.”

Villeneuve was then asked about Verstappen’s chances of challenging for another drivers’ championship this year and continued: “Max will always be in it for some race wins and points, but the championship is tough.

“You cannot be on the edge the whole time – it won’t always go in your favour.

“Unless the two McLaren boys make a mess, end up fighting too harshly like they did in Canada, like they almost did in Austria…

“After Silverstone, there’s one half of the camp that’s upset, so I’m curious to see how that will evolve in the coming races. I wouldn’t know who to put my money on – I just have no idea right now…”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Helmut Marko already lining up a replacement for Yuki Tsunoda

Since making his debut for Red Bull at this season’s Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda has scored just seven points.

Only rookies Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto have failed to outscore Tsunoda in this time, and during that same period, Verstappen won at Suzuka and Imola.

It means that when Tsunoda’s contract expires at the end of the season, he’s very unlikely to be offered a renewal.

Helmut Marko is already lining up a replacement for Tsunoda, with Isack Hadjar impressing at Racing Bulls during his maiden F1 campaign.

However, given how many young drivers have tried and failed to live up to expectations after earning a chance alongside Verstappen, it might be better for Hadjar’s promotion to be delayed.

Juan Pablo Montoya has suggested Carlos Sainz as a potential option for Red Bull, which seems far more sensible given his previous experience alongside the four-time world champion.