Tsunoda’s Costly Misjudgment Underscores Growing Pains on Path to F1 Maturity

By David Schneider

TOKYO — For Yuki Tsunoda, the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix weekend held the promise of progress but ended in frustration, as the Japanese driver’s hard-earned pace was undone by a moment of misjudgment—highlighting the fine line in Formula 1 between assertiveness and recklessness, and reinforcing his reputation for inconsistency and vulnerability under pressure.

Despite strong showings in practice and a competitive qualifying session bolstered by new upgrades to his RB21, Tsunoda’s hopes were dashed Saturday when he was handed a 10-place grid penalty for overtaking Oscar Piastri’s damaged McLaren under red flag conditions.

“I don’t really get that penalty because I don’t know what the hell they want me to do,” Tsunoda said, visibly exasperated after the session. “He was driving 80km/h on the back straight, far left… and I was just waiting behind a damaged car hoping the debris wouldn’t hit me.”

According to Tsunoda, he waited until the track was clear, with no cars in front or behind, before overtaking. However, race stewards deemed the move in breach of regulations prohibiting overtaking under red flag conditions—one of the sport’s strictest safety rules.

“I don’t understand. Apparently, they want me to stay behind Oscar, but that would mean driving through debris and risking more damage. I don’t know what they expect,” Tsunoda added. “Ten places—it’s ridiculous.”

The penalty relegated Tsunoda to 20th on the grid, and while he recovered to 12th by the checkered flag on Sunday, the damage was done—effectively erasing any realistic shot at points and further reinforcing a persistent narrative about his inconsistency under pressure.

Red Bull’s senior advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has previously questioned Tsunoda’s temperament, often citing “totally unnecessary” incidents and labeling him “too unstable” in high-pressure moments. Similar sentiments echo across the paddock, where insiders and media observers routinely highlight a troubling gap between his natural speed and his ability to maintain control and composure across a full race weekend.

The decision to overtake under red flag conditions seemed to confirm what Tsunoda’s critics have long argued—and, in their eyes, validated concerns about his readiness for a top-tier seat.

To Red Bull’s credit, there was official support in the aftermath. Both Marko and team principal Christian Horner voiced frustration with what they saw as inconsistent officiating by the FIA. Yet even within the team, there was quiet acknowledgment that Tsunoda’s move, while perhaps motivated by urgency, was ultimately a misjudgment.

The rule was clear—and the violation indisputable. Though mitigating factors might have supported a less severe penalty, such as a five-place grid drop, the stewards adhered to recent precedent. Just two races earlier in Monaco, Ferrari reserve Oliver Bearman had received the same punishment for a similar infraction, reflecting the FIA’s hardened stance on red flag procedures.

Some in the paddock interpreted Tsunoda’s decision less as a calculated risk and more as a lapse in patience—a snap reaction to gain track position that ultimately backfired. Keep in mind his FP3 session was already undermined by several technical issues stemming from the new upgrades just installed on the morning before the session.

However, that should not be an excuse for keeping an oversight all mature drives are able to manage. Lewis Hamilton, directly behind Tsunoda at the time, opted not to overtake Piastri despite arguably facing greater risk of collecting debris, especially near the narrow pit lane entry. “You just wait. That’s the rule. We all know it,” a senior engineer from a rival team remarked privately.

Now 24, Tsunoda has undeniably matured since his early years in Formula 1. But moments like this serve as a reminder of the distance he still must cover on the road to becoming a fully rounded, race-winning driver.

With crucial back-to-back races at Spielberg and Silverstone looming, the pressure within the Red Bull camp is only set to intensify. If Tsunoda is to remain a serious contender within the team’s future plans, he will need to demonstrate not just raw pace, but also the judgment, restraint, and mental discipline that define the sport’s elite.