Can Monaco Deliver the Clean Weekend Yuki Tsunoda Needs?

Yuki Tsunoda’s recent promotion to the main Red Bull Racing team after just two Formula 1 races in 2025 has brought plenty of attention. His task was clear—score points and back up Max Verstappen, as Red Bull battles McLaren at the front of the grid.

So far, though, Tsunoda has found clean weekends hard to come by. Accidents and low finishes have put pressure on the 24-year-old Japanese driver at a team where patience is often in short supply.

Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson, who was dropped after a tough start. Lawson retired from his first race and then finished 12th, opening the door for Tsunoda to take over.

Since joining, Tsunoda has managed only four championship points from five races, with a best result of ninth. In the same stretch, Verstappen took two wins and collected 88 points.

The gap between the two drivers was especially clear at Imola. While Verstappen qualified second, Tsunoda crashed hard in Q1 and started from the pitlane after his car needed a total rebuild. Coverage of Tsunoda’s crash and the aftermath is detailed here.

Despite the crash, Tsunoda fought back on race day. He moved up to finish tenth and earn a point, having started from the very back.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner credited Tsunoda’s recovery drive and said that starting further up would have offered a much better chance to help the team. Even Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko gave praise, while adding, “Next time without an accident.”

Tsunoda himself admitted to feeling pressure and recognized that overpushing led to the crash in Italy. He said he needs to rebuild his confidence at a steady pace to avoid similar mistakes.

His start with Red Bull hasn’t been easy, with tough circuits like Suzuka and Saudi Arabia early on, followed by street tracks where errors can be costly. Mistakes, like crashing out in Saudi Arabia and finishing outside the points at home in Japan, have held him back.

However, the way he climbed back into the points at Imola hints that things could be turning in his favor if he can string together a clean weekend.

Monaco, with its tight streets and unforgiving barriers, comes next. It is widely known as one of the hardest circuits to keep out of trouble, as detailed in this FIA circuit guide.

There are no run-off areas, and a single error in qualifying or the race can ruin the whole Grand Prix. Verstappen, who is fighting for another title, needs Tsunoda close by to help take the fight to the McLarens.

A mistake here could be very costly, both in lost points and in losing confidence for the races to come.

There are also practical concerns. Tsunoda’s big crash at Imola already forced him to use a new survival cell and new engine parts, which are limited for the whole season, as explained in the F1 sporting regulations.

If he has more accidents and runs out of spare parts, he risks facing grid penalties that could hurt his campaign even more. Red Bull’s leadership is watching to see if Tsunoda can avoid trouble and consistently finish in the top 10, providing vital support in both championships.

Tsunoda says he has already moved on from his Imola crash, but he admits that doubts still linger. Monaco offers him a chance to prove that he is learning and that he can deliver the clean, steady weekend Red Bull is waiting for.

If he manages to race without mistakes and bring home solid points, his place at Red Bull might feel a lot more secure. But if trouble finds him again on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, questions over his future with the team will only grow louder.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.