‘Rejuvenated’ Yuki Tsunoda could now be handed a new opportunity under Laurent Mekies at Red Bull

Follow us on Google Discover

There were plenty of positives for Red Bull Racing driver Yuki Tsunoda to take from the Belgian Grand Prix.

All eyes were on Red Bull at Spa, with people wondering how the team were going to function under new team principal Laurent Mekies.

Mekies replaced Christian Horner at Red Bull following the British Grand Prix and immediately got off to a winning start.

Max Verstappen brilliantly managed the Sprint Race at the Belgian Grand Prix after overtaking drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri on the opening lap.

At the beginning of Sunday’s race, it looked like Yuki Tsunoda had the perfect chance to join Verstappen in the top 10 and end his streak of pointless finishes.

Red Bull made a catastrophic strategy error that ruined Tsunoda’s race, calling him into the pits too late, which cost him several places as the track began to dry.

Tsunoda’s engineers were gutted after the race, but the hope for the Japanese driver is that he can build on his strong performance in qualifying now that his car has Red Bull’s newest floor installed.

Journalists Albert Fabrega and Tom Clarkson were discussing Mekies’ and Tsunoda’s first weekend working together at Red Bull.

They believe that he’s set to be given the chance to contribute even more to Red Bull’s cause than he could under Horner.

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

Yuki Tsunoda to be given ‘more of a voice’ under Laurent Mekies at Red Bull

Clarkson was speaking to Fabrega on the F1 Nation Podcast about the 25-year-old driver and said: “With Laurent here this weekend, I felt we saw a rejuvenated Yuki Tsunoda.”

Fabrega replied: “I don’t know, I think that Christian was in favour of having Tsunoda in the team. He was pushing and supporting Yuki when he was in the team.”

Clarkson continued: “I’m not saying that wasn’t the case with Christian. Only that I think Yuki got on very well with Laurent at Racing Bulls. I think, just to see that little nod, that little smile.

“But I tell you, getting that new floor on the car this weekend might have been [worth two-tenths].”

Clarkson was then asked if he thought Horner was ‘blocking’ Tsunoda from getting some new parts on the car, and he continued: “No, but I think he absolutely favoured Max Verstappen.

“It was all about making Max happy. And I think Yuki feels that he might have a bit more of a voice inside the team with Laurent than he perhaps got with Christian.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies

Nico Rosberg tells Yuki Tsunoda the ‘clock is ticking’ for him to secure his Red Bull seat for 2026

Tsunoda is one of a handful of drivers who have yet to sign a new contract for next season.

Both Racing Bulls drivers are in the same position, with Verstappen tied down to 2028, even if he could theoretically leave the team sooner if certain clauses are met.

Nico Rosberg believes the ‘clock is ticking’ on Tsunoda guaranteeing his place at Red Bull for next year, with his current pointless streak putting him under increasing pressure.

However, there are very few drivers available to Red Bull who would represent an immediate upgrade on the Japanese driver.

Isack Hadjar is said to be Red Bull’s favoured Tsunoda replacement, but whether promoting the French rookie so soon in his F1 career is a question Mekies will have to face.

Mekies will be well-positioned to do so, having worked with both drivers closely.

Tsunoda won’t want to retain his Red Bull seat simply because there isn’t an option available to the team, but the longer he’s part of the organisation, and the more feedback he’s able to give, the better chance he has to reach his full potential.