Yuki Tsunoda Calls for Luck to Boost Red Bull Success

Yuki Tsunoda is hoping for a change in fortune as the Formula 1 paddock heads into the Monaco Grand Prix. In Friday practice at Circuit de Monaco, Tsunoda finished 11th in the second session.

He was only one place behind his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, with the gap between them a slim 0.004 seconds.

The Japanese driver battled disruptive sessions throughout the day, starting with just a single flying lap on medium tyres in FP1 due to a red flag.

Like many drivers, Tsunoda struggled with traffic that is always a major factor around Monaco’s narrow streets. He shared that finding space for a clean lap is mostly about having “luck” on his side.

In his comments after practice, Tsunoda pointed out that traffic makes every session at Monaco a game of chance. He said his first practice was ruined by the red flag and he did not get the laps he needed.

By FP2, he was able to complete more laps and started to understand the car’s limitations better, especially when it came to grip from the soft compound tyres.

However, he described his struggle to find extra performance and grip, with little improvement from the tyres compared to the opening session.

For Tsunoda, this performance marked his closest gap to Verstappen since joining the main Red Bull squad before the Japanese Grand Prix. He acknowledged that the team made some progress with the RB21 chassis between sessions, but more work remains before qualifying.

He said he needs to find a couple more tenths of a second to truly compete and believes the car still holds a bit more potential.

Tsunoda talked about squeezing everything from the car and himself, building up his pace to put together a strong qualifying run in Monaco, where track position is more valuable than at almost any other venue.

Red Bull as a whole has been searching for solutions to recapture its dominant form in 2025. Max Verstappen has encountered difficulties on Fridays in recent events, while Ferrari’s pace appears much improved.

Tsunoda’s adaptation into the senior team remains under scrutiny, especially as teammate comparisons are closely watched by fans and pundits. So far, Tsunoda has secured points finishes but lacks the consistency to match Verstappen’s qualifying runs and race pace each weekend.

As the season progresses, Tsunoda remains focused on closing the gap and maximizing every opportunity. The team is working to refine the RB21’s balance and address the handling limitations he feels.

Monaco presents one of the biggest challenges due to its unique circuit and high demand for precision. With qualifying always pivotal in Monte Carlo, Tsunoda knows that a dose of luck—alongside improved performance—could help shift Red Bull’s results. This sentiment reflects the idea of the “Monaco GP racing lottery”.

The Monaco Grand Prix weekend continues with final practice and qualifying set for Saturday. Red Bull and Tsunoda hope that both preparation and luck will align to give them the boost they need on one of Formula 1’s most famous stages.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.