Is Max Verstappen happy with Yuki Tsunoda as teammate? Helmut Marko reveals

Helmut Marko has revealed Max Verstappen's true feelings behind Red Bull's decision to demote Liam Lawson and bring in Yuki Tsunoda.

Is Max Verstappen happy with Yuki Tsunoda as teammate? Helmut Marko reveals

Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen (via Racingnews365), Helmut Marko (via IMAGO)

Yuki Tsunoda is all set to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull to partner with Max Verstappen for the 2025 season. Lawson’s lackluster performances in the first two races of the season caused his shocking demotion to RB while Tsunoda achieved a coveted promotion. The Japanese driver will run his first race as a Red Bull driver on his home soil with Verstappen. Now, Helmut Marko reveals the Dutchman’s true feelings over the driver swap fiasco.

Max Verstappen has sympathized with Liam Lawson after he was unexpectedly demoted to RB after just two races. The Dutchman reacted to a post criticizing Lawson’s naysayers in the situation. Moreover, Verstappen believed that the Kiwi would be better of at RB due to their car being easier to drive. Still, the 27-year-old will now have to get accustomed to Yuki Tsunoda as he takes on the No. 2 driver role at Milton Keynes.

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Christian Horner had criticized Lawson’s form as Red Bull brought him in to have two cars scoring points at the forefront. Also, Helmut Marko had labeled the Kiwi’s promotion over Tsunoda to be a mistake due to the latter’s impressive performances with RB. Despite the negative side of the 23-year-old’s performances, Verstappen didn’t wish to write him off so early on in the 2025 season.

Marko reveals that Red Bull is aware of Verstappen not being happy with the driver swap. However, the 81-year-old insisted that the change was made to have two drivers score points at the forefront. This was crucial not only for the team’s constructors’ championship ambitions but also for the Dutchman’s hunt for his fifth consecutive drivers’ title. This meant that Tsunoda would have to play the team game and help the 27-year-old move up the pecking order if it ever came to that.

We know Max is not happy. But we need two cars at the front. Not only for the constructors’ championship, but also to help Max get his fifth world title.

Helmut Marko told De Telegraaf

Helmut Marko reveals ‘funny’ situation of Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion

Yuki Tsunoda was the prime competitor to replace Sergio Perez in 2024 following the latter’s disastrous performance. Yet, Liam Lawson was ultimately promoted as he was faster than Tsunoda in the tests conducted by Red Bull. However, just two races into the 2025 season, Milton Keynes had to double down on their decision and demote the Kiwi.

Yuki Tsunoda (via Getty)
Yuki Tsunoda (via Getty)

Helmut Marko reckoned that it was ‘funny’ to witness a completely different Yuki Tsunoda this year. The Japanese driver made no mistakes in his first two races of the 2025 season. Moreover, the 24-year-old is fast on the track and is full of confidence after switching to a new management for his career. Hence, the Austrian constructor has banked massive hopes on Tsunoda to help them in their championship ambitions this year.

It is funny to see that we are experiencing a completely different Yuki this year. He has made no mistakes in the first weeks, is fast, has a new management and is full of confidence.

Helmut Marko noted

Helmut Marko highlights ‘advantage’ of Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull

Yuki Tsunoda is now expected to help the team in their hunt for both championships with Max Verstappen. The Japanese driver is also highly experienced in Formula 1 after racing at RB for over four years. Hence, Helmut Marko believes that Milton Keynes could extract the maximum performance out of Tsunoda following his promotion up the chain.

Yuki Tsunoda (via XPB images)
Yuki Tsunoda (via XPB images)

Marko noted that Red Bull would use Yuki Tsunoda’s experience in Formula 1 to help boost the team’s performance down the season. The Austrian labeled the driver swap fiasco as an advantage to the team ultimately. Tsunoda is set to help not only the team in the constructors’ champion but also Max Verstappen in his drivers’ title ambitions.

We can use Yuki’s experience and form well now. That counts. At the end of the day, that is to the advantage of the team. And that also means to the advantage of Max.

Helmut Marko concluded

Regardless of Tsunoda’s entry, Red Bull still has to address the massive performance gap in the RB21 challenger. The Japanese driver wouldn’t be able to do much over the season if the car does not respond well to his driving style. The rivals have kept up with a great improvement in pace as Milton Keynes fails to do so for the final year of the ground-effect era.