Yuki Tsunoda makes shocking claim about how his Red Bull data compares to Max Verstappen

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Yuki Tsunoda is starting to run out of time. The halfway point of the season is approaching, and he hasn’t yet tamed the Red Bull car.

Red Bull have assured Tsunoda that he’ll see out the season. But crucially, he’s out of contract at the end of the season, putting his F1 future at risk.

Like numerous drivers before him, Tsunoda’s stock is falling next to Max Verstappen. Since he stepped up from Racing Bulls, he’s only scored seven points – his teammate has amassed 119.

Tsunoda started the previous race in Canada down in 18th after a controversial 10-place grid penalty. It’s the third time in four races he’s lined up near the back of the grid.

Yuki Tsunoda says he has ‘almost the same’ driving style as Max Verstappen

Speaking to outlets including Motorsport Japan before the Austrian Grand Prix, Tsunoda explained why he’s so far away from Verstappen. He says it’s a matter of developing greater ‘confidence and understanding’.

Verstappen’s driving style is often said to be unique. With the team catering to their superstar driver, Sergio Perez and Alex Albon have said the Red Bull car feels unnatural.

It was a shock, then, to hear Tsunoda claim his approach is ‘almost the same’ as the four-time world champion. That arguably makes the large deficit even more worrying.

Tsunoda hasn’t been able to break the cycle of woe in the second Red Bull seat, even though he’s more aligned with Verstappen than his predecessors.

“In fact, the data shows that our feedback and driving style is almost the same,” he said. “The biggest difference for me is squeezing out those little extra seconds in qualifying and getting the most out of the car. This comes from confidence and understanding of the car.

“Technically, I think we have very similar driving styles in terms of preferred positions, braking and how we hold the car. We want exactly the same suspension stiffness, camber angle, and all that stuff.”

Sergio Perez believes Yuki Tsunoda has benefited from a double standard

A report this week suggests Tsunoda is ‘certain’ to lose his seat, barring a sharp upturn in form. It may be wise to seek out alternative options.

Isack Hadjar is in line to replace him in recognition of his excellent rookie performances at Racing Bulls. Tsunoda could lose his place in the programme altogether.

This time last year, Perez was facing questions over whether he’d be dropped during the summer break. There’s no prospect of that happening to Tsunoda.

Perez says he was treated harshly by the press, whereas Tsunoda has got off relatively lightly. Verstappen’s teammates haven’t competed at the front of the grid consistently since the start of last year.