Ralf Schumacher names which F1 driver’s career is now ‘over’ after watching him ‘getting a real beating’ this season

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Formula 1 is a ruthless sport, and it doesn’t take long for the pressure to grow on a driver if they have a few bad races.

The Formula 1 driver market is yet to get going this season, with every driver who entered the final year of their contracts in 2025 still waiting to sign an extension.

George Russell could lose his Mercedes seat, with four-time world champion Max Verstappen closely linked with Toto Wolff’s team.

That would cause a seismic shift in the paddock, as several drivers who are currently on long-term deals might suddenly be tempted by a move to Red Bull to replace the Dutchman.

Valtteri Bottas has been linked with Alpine as Franco Colapinto continues to search for his first Formula 1 point this season.

However, Ralf Schumacher believes that Verstappen’s current teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, is coming to the end of his time in Formula 1.

Verstappen has left behind the 25-year-old since his promotion from Racing Bulls and the Austrian Grand Prix was the latest example of the gap between the two drivers.

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

Ralf Schumacher thinks Yuki Tsunoda’s Formula 1 career is ‘over’

Schumacher was speaking on the latest Backstage Boxengasse Podcast about the Japanese driver’s performances this season.

Tsunoda failed to get out of Q1 in Austria and finished last in the race after a clumsy collision with Colapinto.

Explaining what’s going wrong for Tsunoda, Schumacher said: “He’s a long, long way from Verstappen. Honestly, and to sum it up briefly: If he doesn’t get it under control in the next few races, he’ll probably already be out of Red Bull.

“In my opinion, Tsunoda’s career is over. He’s simply too far behind and is now making mistakes.

“For me, there wasn’t that much of a difference in performance at Racing Bulls compared to Lawson or Hadjar.

“And at Red Bull, he’s getting a real beating. I also don’t think he’ll be in the lead at Honda for the Aston Martin cockpit.

“That’s why I’d say we won’t see Tsunoda in Formula 1 at the end of the year.

“The problem is, if you’re slow and break things, the team quickly loses patience.”

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

Why the British Grand Prix could contribute to Yuki Tsunoda losing his Red Bull Racing seat

Tsunoda is expected to see out the rest of the season at Red Bull, but Christian Horner’s team are notorious for making brutal driver decisions.

Daniel Ricciardo lost his RB seat midway through last season, and Liam Lawson was only given two races at Red Bull earlier this year before he was demoted.

However, the British Grand Prix might give Red Bull an indication of what a future without Tsunoda will look like.

Teenager Arvid Lindblad is jumping into Tsunoda’s car for FP1 and will be hoping to impress Horner and Helmut Marko.

If he has a similar session to McLaren junior Alex Dunne in Austria, then Red Bull will have to decide whether to promote Lindblad during the summer break or wait until 2026.

Tsunoda can end this speculation by getting back into the points at Silverstone.

Unfortunately, all of the evidence we’ve seen from him so far this season suggests that’s very unlikely to happen.