Can Yuki Tsunoda give Max Verstappen an advantage in Abu Dhabi?

The long-awaited final of the 2025 season of Formula 1 The approach is fast approaching, and the tension is rising. On one side, the clan McLaren, which has already secured the Constructors' title, and whose two drivers – Lando Norris et Oscar piastri – can still be champions. On the other hand, Max Verstappen et Red Bullwho are eyeing a fifth consecutive Drivers' World Championship title, which they no longer believed possible a few weeks ago.

While Lando Norris has a 12-point lead over the Dutchman, the latter has a four-point advantage over Piastri. But Max Verstappen could well find a significant advantage over the other two drivers: Yuki tsunoda.

When discussing this weekend's Grand Prix, it's impossible not to think of the controversial 2021 final, which pitted the Dutchman against Lewis HamiltonOn this occasion, Red Bull, whose car was less efficient than the Classic Mercedes for sale at Yas Marina, had already sacrificed his second driver to give Verstappen the best chance.

Sergio Pérez, then in the second seat at Milton Keynes, had lent a hand to his teammate on several occasions. During Q3, Pérez gave him a tow on his final qualifying lap, allowing Max Verstappen to take pole position three-tenths of a second ahead of Hamilton.

During the race, Red Bull kept their driver out after the first pit stops so he could take the lead. Once Hamilton had left the pits, Red Bull kept Pérez in the lead with worn tires to stay out as long as possible and slow down the Mercedes driver. The Briton closed the gap to the Mexican on lap 20. Attempting to get a tow from Pérez, he overtook him, only to be overtaken again and held up in the twisty section of the circuit. This maneuver benefited Verstappen, who closed the gap from over ten seconds to less than two seconds behind his rival.

Yuki Tsunoda's awakening will be necessary in Abu Dhabi

Nevertheless, the likelihood of this scenario playing out with Yuki Tsunoda this year is lower. The Japanese driver has been struggling in qualifying. Having been eliminated in Q1 for the past three years, he hasn't made it to Q3 since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku last September. Another poor performance from the Japanese driver on Saturday could already jeopardize Max Verstappen's chances of securing pole position.

This loss of advantage would be particularly problematic during the race. By starting the race in the pack, Tsunoda could lose considerable time to the McLarens and find himself behind them after the first pit stops, with no way to slow them down.

Having laid out these facts, it appears even less credible that the Japanese driver finished the race ahead of Lando Norris, helping Max Verstappen build the points gap necessary to secure the title.

Nevertheless, one could argue that Red Bull has more than one trick up its sleeve. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Red Bull call its sister team, Racing Bulls, to ask Isack Hadjar or Liam Lawson to lend a hand to the potential future five-time world champion.

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