Yuki Tsunoda ended 17th in the 2025 Formula 1 drivers' standings alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, an unprecedented result for a title contender's team-mate. Red Bull initially picked Liam Lawson over Tsunoda for 2025, but after two poor races, Lawson was sent back to Racing Bulls and Tsunoda got his chance.

Tsunoda was bullish, saying he loved aggressive cars and wasn't worried about adapting. But Verstappen won eight grands prix while Tsunoda scored no podiums, with a best finish of sixth in Baku. He scored 30 points to Verstappen's 385. In 27 qualifying sessions, he made Q3 eight times, was out in Q2 nine times, and eliminated in Q1 10 times. He outqualified Verstappen once and was 0.6s slower on average.

On the Beyond The Grid podcast, Tsunoda admitted he still didn't understand the RB21. He said he has a big enough ego not to change his driving style, but his biggest mistake was trying to replicate Verstappen's set-up.