Max Verstappen Defends Yuki Tsunoda: ‘He’s Definitely Not a Pancake’

Max Verstappen has spoken out in support of Yuki Tsunoda after a tough qualifying session at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Tsunoda finished in 20th place in Q1, meaning he will start from the back of the grid for the Spanish Grand Prix.

This result comes amid a challenging period for Tsunoda since joining Red Bull, as he has struggled to match the performance of other drivers in the team’s recent history.

Verstappen, set to start the race from third after being outpaced by the McLaren drivers, shared his views with the media. He referenced Tsunoda’s earlier performances at Racing Bulls, saying, “He’s not a pancake.”

Verstappen highlighted Tsunoda’s strong form compared to teammates Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson in the past. He added that the current struggles have been ongoing, hinting that it might indicate something larger behind the scenes, though he left the specifics open for interpretation.

The Dutch driver was not surprised by McLaren’s one-lap pace, admitting Red Bull has often found themselves trailing throughout the 2025 season. Verstappen explained, “If you look at the whole season, we have always been behind. Only when [McLaren] make a few mistakes, we can benefit from that.” This reality has been reflected in recent discussions about the McLaren F1 rule clash, which have contributed to the team’s competitive edge.

He described this as the reality Red Bull faces in qualifying, especially at certain circuits where the challenge is even greater.

So far this year, Tsunoda has experienced a noticeable dip, mirroring problems that have affected other Red Bull junior drivers. Despite this, Verstappen’s support gives Tsunoda some backing heading into Sunday’s race.

Red Bull’s lineup for the Spanish Grand Prix features Verstappen and Tsunoda, with Verstappen currently third in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship on 136 points. Tsunoda is looking to add to the team’s 143-point tally.

McLaren leads the Constructors’ standings with 319 points, while Red Bull sits in third place overall. In the drivers’ race, Oscar Piastri tops the list with 161 points, with Lando Norris close behind and Verstappen in third.

Mercedes and Ferrari are also close competitors as the season develops.

The outcome of the Spanish Grand Prix remains to be seen, but Verstappen’s words emphasize the need to stay realistic about Red Bull’s prospects this year. Attention will be on Tsunoda to see if he can recover from a difficult start in qualifying and if Red Bull can challenge the fast McLaren cars on race day. The track’s unique demands and the impact of the F1 flexi wing regulations at the Spanish GP will also play a crucial role in race performance.

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.