26/07/2025 06:30
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that Yuki
Tsunoda will receive some new parts, if he can navigate the Belgian
Grand Prix sprint race without difficulty. The Japanese driver
failed to make the final stage of sprint qualifying and will start
12th on the grid at Spa-Francorchamps. Tsunoda did manage to
qualify ahead of both Mercedes drivers and Lewis Hamilton, but
found himself behind Max Verstappen and both Racing Bulls drivers.
It was the latest frustrating result for the 25-year-old, who will
be eager to score his first point in the sprint since the Emilia
Romagna Grand Prix. Despite the frustration of another early exit
across all qualifying formats, Marko was actually not overly
disappointed in Tsunoda's performance. He found himself
significantly closer to the top 10 than has been the case in recent
events, and was much closer to Verstappen in certain sectors.
Marko outlined Tsunoda's improvement, but challenged him to deliver
more consistent laps. "I think he is getting better and better,"
Marko said about Tsunoda to Motorsport Magazin . "Sometimes he's
really good at it, but he can't always keep that up consistently
yet." In Tsunoda's defence, Red Bull only fitted its upgrades
package to Verstappen's car. However, should a clean sprint be
completed by the #22, Marko has confirmed he will receive some
parts. "Yuki didn't have the updates now," revealed Marko. "But if
nothing happens to him in the sprint race, he will also get some
new parts."
