Overview

• Since replacing Liam Lawson at the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda has scored just seven points compared with Verstappen’s 119 and has started the last five races from grid positions no higher than 12th.
• Red Bull has rejected calls for a midseason swap and confirmed Tsunoda will remain in the second car through the end of the campaign.
• McLaren rookie Alex Dunne’s P4 in his first Formula 1 practice session reinforced Red Bull’s conclusion that their RB21 demands a precise driving style with little margin for error.
• Tsunoda has admitted frustration with his inability to unlock consistent long-run pace, publicly took responsibility for his Austrian GP racecraft errors and is working with engineers on setup adjustments.
• With Isack Hadjar not yet ready, Liam Lawson already trialed and Arvid Lindblad earmarked for the future, Red Bull faces few immediate alternatives for Verstappen’s teammate.