Yuki Tsunoda has received a positive report card from Red Bull Racing after his first few weekends at the team – Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan describing him as a “good member” who is “settling in really well” so far.
Tsunoda made a long-awaited move to the senior outfit – having been overlooked in the past – at last month’s Japanese Grand Prix, stepping into Liam Lawson’s seat alongside Max Verstappen while the struggling New Zealander went back to Racing Bulls.
Although he is facing his own challenges in adapting to the RB21, Tsunoda has shown encouraging potential with Q3 appearances in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Miami, as well as points finishes at two of the last three Grands Prix.
Speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix weekend, where Tsunoda also scored points in the Sprint, Monaghan said: “He seems to be settling in really well, actually. It’s not the easiest circumstances to step into.
Chief Engineer Monaghan plays a key role at Red Bull Racing
“He came in, he’s been forthright in his feedback, he’s been courteous, he’s been a good team member. He’s been a little bit unlucky at times, lucky at others… He’s finding his feet.
“He’s not afraid to speak his mind, he states what he wants and what he doesn’t like, which is good. He’s in the team, he’s a good member of it, and he’ll be fine.
“He seems able to avoid the intimidation of being Max’s team mate at the moment, so that’s really good. I’m impressed. He’s got more than a spine to him.”
Alongside helping Tsunoda in his adaptation process, Red Bull are also working hard to fully understand and improve their 2025 package – with rivals McLaren stealing a march in the race for this year’s two world titles.
Tsunoda has completed four weekends with the senior Red Bull team
Asked where Red Bull as a whole stand with their latest challenger, Monaghan commented: “In terms of understanding it, good. We’ve made a lot of progress since its debut.
“Obviously Japan [Verstappen’s pole position and victory] was a bit of a highlight, Bahrain [a battle for minor points] was a bit of a low point, but in terms of actually grasping and understanding it, we dusted ourselves down for Jeddah and we were a lot better in relative terms – we could have won it.
“So, understanding it, good, improving it, small steps – it’s not going to be a magic moment. Incrementally it will get better and better and better, and then we’ll see if we do it faster than our opposition.”
Red Bull sit third in the Teams’ Standings as the season enters its second quarter, 141 points down on leaders McLaren, while Verstappen finds himself 32 points behind Oscar Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship.
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