"That's certainly a factor": When Helmut Marko discussed Yuki Tsunoda's unorthodox traits in Formula 1

Yuki Tsunoda, who made his F1 debut with AlphaTauri (rebranded as VCARB) in 2021, was once pulled up for his aggressive attitude. Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko cited cultural difference as one of the factors behind Tsunoda's demeanor.

Tsunoda, a product of Red Bull's junior driver academy, made his debut in 2021 with sister team Alpha Tauri. However, his debut year was far from ideal, as he witnessed several crashes and uncomfortable moments. His outburst on the radio attracted criticism.

To tame the Japanese driver's aggression, Red Bull moved him from the UK to Italy, where AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost was put in charge to guide the young driver in the right direction.

Red Bull's head of junior driver program, Helmut Marko, addressed the topic in 2021 and mentioned cultural difference as a factor behind Tsunoda's shaky debut season. In an interview with Motorsport-Total, the veteran said:

"That is (cultural difference) certainly a factor. The culture is very different in Japan. We have an advantage there because Franz Tost was in Japan himself for many years.

"He knows this culture and knows what is important. But ultimately with Tsunoda it’s a matter of discipline. He just got too cocky. With a European or a South American, the approach is different than with a Japanese driver.

Marko added that Yuki Tsunoda has to be disciplined without taming his aggression for racing. His pace and refreshing talent are something Red Bull deeply valued.

The Japanese driver scored 12 points in the 2022 season and improved to 30 points in the 2024 season. However, despite being the Racing Bulls' lead driver for the last four years, he was snubbed for the second Red Bull seat. Liam Lawson, with an experience of 11 race starts, has been chosen as Sergio Perez's replacement for the upcoming 2025 F1 season.

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Yuki Tsunoda accepts change in behavior after debut season

Yuki Tsunoda at F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi (Image Source: Getty)

In four years of his journey in F1, Yuki Tsunoda has evolved as a person. With 87 race starts, the Japanese driver falls in the experienced drivers bracket. Recalling the changes he embraced, Tsunoda told Motorsport Week:

"It’s more controlled. I feel like compared to 2021, as a person as well, not just inside racing but also outside racing, I feel like a different person in a good way, I would say. More calm."

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda finds himself in a tricky position. After four seasons with the Racing Bulls, he was denied a promotion to Red Bull despite Honda's backing.

It has led to speculations that the Japanese driver might not be in the energy drink-based outfit's future plans. His contract expires after the 2025 season, and his future appears bleak for now.