It seems almost unfathomable for a title contender’s team-mate to end up 17th in the Formula 1 drivers’ standings, yet that’s what happened to Yuki Tsunoda alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2025.
In a way, it was unprecedented – the closest modern example perhaps was Felipe Massa lying a lowly 16th eight rounds into the 2012 season while Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso comfortably led the championship, but the Brazilian somewhat turned the situation around.
Equally, Tsunoda’s case was unique. Having decided to release an underperforming Sergio Perez, Red Bull picked Liam Lawson over Tsunoda for a 2025 p
