Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Yuki Tsunoda delivered a clear statement of intent on Friday at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, finishing FP1 in a sensational third place — one spot ahead of team-mate Max Verstappen. The Japanese driver believes the result proves his growing confidence with the Red Bull RB21, especially on the ultra-low-grip Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
“This shows at least a little bit that my confidence is there and I’m able to control this car pretty well,” Tsunoda told media after the session. “Especially on a low-grip track like this, you need good confidence in the car.”
It marked the first time in 2025 that Tsunoda has placed inside the top three in any official practice session a significant milestone for a driver who has spent much of the year fighting to extract consistent performance from the car and battling doubts over his long-term future within the Red Bull programme.
Although FP2 saw him drop to P15 after encountering minor issues and the double red-flag chaos, Tsunoda remained upbeat.
“Overall, good confidence today. Shame about FP2 I had a few issues but the pace is there. We’re heading in the right direction.”
Deeper analysis highlights how Tsunoda looked notably more comfortable in the warmer FP1 conditions, while the drastic temperature drop in FP2 (representative of qualifying and race) exposed familiar balance struggles for both Red Bull cars — Verstappen ended the night only P9.
With the top four teams (Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull) separated by less than half a second in FP2, every tenth will count. Tsunoda stressed the need for overnight set-up work: “The four teams are very, very tight. We still have to find a little bit more speed from the car, but I’m sure we’ll find something.”
For a 25-year-old driver widely seen as fighting for his F1 career, a strong weekend in Las Vegas could be career-defining. Consistent signs of progress — like out-qualifying or out-racing Verstappen in certain conditions are exactly what Helmut Marko and Red Bull management want to see ahead of 2026 seat decisions.
FP3 and qualifying take place in the early hours of Sunday morning (WIB). Can Tsunoda carry this momentum into Saturday night and deliver a genuine shock on the Strip?
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