Yuki Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull looks to be under threat having been replaced by Arvid Lindblad for the first practice session ahead of Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
The Japanese driver has made a poor start to the 2025 season, accumulating only 10 points and finishing higher than 10th just once in his opening nine races since taking over from Liam Lawson.
Tsunoda was promoted to Max Verstappen’s teammate earlier in the year having been impressed for sister team Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda, however, is doubling down on his position at Red Bull, posting on Instagram in the hours ahead of the demotion to Lindblad becoming public.
Fan reaction to Tsunoda's relegation
Fans were quick to defend Tsunoda on his Instagram post, leaving messages of support for the under fire 25-year-old.
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This was after the driver posted a defiant message, writing: "Straight back to work to prepare for Silverstone."
“Yuki, you’re going to be okay. If you’re reading this comment, it probably means you’ve also seen some of the harsh ones,” one fan commented.
“Yuki, you were amazing! please don’t lose confidence because of what happened in Austria,” a second added.
Tsunoda’s downturn, however, has raised excitement levels within Red Bull, and the wider racing community, at the prospect of watching Lindblad in action.
Teenage sensation waiting in Red Bull's wings
The 17-year-old, who boasts Indian and Swedish ancestry, had logged track time in Italy earlier in the season.
The chance to impress on his home circuit is a huge show of faith by Red Bull and underlines their commitment to evaluating their young prospects at Silverstone.
The emergence of Lindblad also piles further pressure on Tsunoda, and suggests that Red Bull may be considering a change in driver for the final races of the season.
Red Bull’s struggles of their own haven’t helped Tsunoda, while the recent difficulties have impacted Max Verstappen’s chances of defending his Drivers’ Championship.
Verstappen has four successive titles to his name, but is now 61 points off leader Oscar Piastri having been forced to retire in Austria last month.
Red Bull have ground to make up
Red Bull are also down in fourth in the Constructors’ Championship on 162 points, with McLaren, led by Piastri and Lando Norris, the runaway leaders with 417 points.
Red Bull have history in advancing youngsters, and this may benefit Lindblad with the teenager set for his F1 debut before long.
Silverstone may be make-or-break for Tsunoda and another poor showing, should he be given the nod as Verstappen’s teammate, could see him relegated with Lindblad primed to take his spot.
Lindblad’s inclusion in FP1 could be an indication of what’s to come for both Red Bull and Tsunoda for the second half of the F1 season.
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Motorsport
Ben McAleer