Yuki Tsunoda has opened up about the darkest chapter of his Formula 1 career. A year after leaving Red Bull Racing, the Japanese driver admitted he lost his joy for life and racing. The 2025 season alongside Max Verstappen was not just a test of speed, but a mental battle that drained him.
Joining mid-season without ever having driven the RB21, Tsunoda was thrown into the deep end. He had to adapt to a car designed around Verstappen's driving style, while public expectations demanded instant results. The outcome? 17th in the drivers' standings, while Verstappen finished runner-up, missing the title by two points. A painful contrast.
Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Tsunoda revealed how tough it was. "2025 was the toughest year in my career, and I learned heaps of things," he said. "I'm the kind of person who can usually reset after good food or doing something I love. But in the second half of the season, I really started to struggle. Every time I came home, I felt very exhausted. The energy never came back."
He continued, "At some point I recognised I'm not really enjoying my life, not enjoying the situation, and probably not enjoying driving Formula 1 as much as I was in the first three years. It was a very tough time." Tsunoda then sought solutions outside racing. He realised he was away from Japan, away from his friends – something he hadn't felt since his first year in F3. He got help from a psychologist and mental trainer, but the busy race schedule in the second half made recovery difficult.
Yet Tsunoda is not completely broken. "The year gave me the opportunity to look at myself more deeply than any other year," he admitted. However, the consequences of underperformance were inevitable. He lost his Red Bull seat. Isack Hadjar was promoted to the main team, while Arvid Lindblad made his F1 debut. Tsunoda must now find another way to stay on the grid.
Tsunoda's story mirrors the brutality of Red Bull's second seat. Before him, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, Sergio Perez, and Liam Lawson experienced similar fates: struggling to match Verstappen, then being cast aside. Perez lasted four years, Lawson just two races, and Tsunoda a full season full of ups and downs. The pressure to perform at Verstappen's level often destroys careers and mental health.
For Tsunoda, the journey may not be over. Despite losing his Red Bull seat, he could still have opportunities with other teams or in a development role. One thing is clear: the bitter experience taught him the importance of life balance, mental support, and the courage to acknowledge vulnerability. A valuable lesson from the F1 paddock that isn't always as glamorous as it seems.
Baca Juga
Toto Wolff yakin George Russell masih bisa juara F1 meski tertinggal 81 poin dari Kimi Antonelli di musim 2026. Simak analisis lengkapnya.
Sebastian Vettel dan Valtteri Bottas dipastikan tampil di Race of Champions 2026 di Wellington, Selandia Baru. Simak jadwal dan pembalap yang ikut.
Sergio Perez klaim Cadillac lebih cepat dari Albon di GP Spanyol. Data tunjukkan pace kompetitif, tapi masalah keandalan masih jadi penghalang.
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!