In the fast and glamorous world of Formula 1, money is often just as hot subject as the races themselves. Yuki Tsunoda, the new second driver of Red Bull Racing, recently provided a commotion by talking openly about the impressive salary of his teammate, Max Verstappen. During an interview after the Grand Prix of Spain, the Japanese driver, who has been driving alongside Verstappen in 2025 since the Japan Grand Prix in 2025, let himself be impressed that he is not only impressed by Verstappen’s performance on the track, but also of his financial earnings. What was even more striking was the tone of jealousy that sounded through in his words, which brought the Formula 1 world into turmoil.

According to recent estimates, Max Verstappen, the four -time world champion, deserves a basic salary of $ 75 million a year, excluding bonuses that can increase his income even further. With extra income from sponsorships with brands such as Jumbo, Viaplay and EA Sports, its total assets are estimated at around 120 million euros. Tsunoda, who reportedly earns a salary of 3 million dollars a year, made a comment during the interview: “Max deserves what a whole grid does not even bring together. It is crash. I mean, who wouldn’t be jealous of that?” His words, laughing, but with a serious undertone, suggested a mix of admiration and frustration about the enormous difference in their incomes.

Tsunoda’s comments come at a time when he is struggling to find his place within Red Bull Racing. After a quick promotion of Racing Bulls to the main team, to replace Liam Lawson after just two races in 2025, the Japanese has difficulty performing in the shadow of Verstappen. Statistics show that Verstappen is responsible for 96% of Red Bulls points in the first races of the season, while Tsunoda’s contribution is limited to only 9 World Cup points. His best result was a point finish in Bahrain and Miami, but in qualifications he often lags far behind Verstappen, with differences of sometimes almost a second per round. This contrast in performance makes the salary difference all the more striking.

The RB21, Red Bulls Auto for 2025, is known as a challenging car, and Tsunoda has openly admitted that it is struggling with the adjustment. “Max gets it done, but for me it’s a tight window to get the car under control,” he said in Imola. Nevertheless, Verstappen defended his teammate by saying that Tsunoda is “not a pancake” and that the problems are more with the car than with the driver himself. This support of Verstappen contrasts with the rumors that he would rather have wanted to continue with Lawson, a choice that was ignored by team boss Christian Horner and adviser Helmut Marko. This internal conflict within Red Bull adds an extra low voltage to Tsunoda’s comments about Verstappens Salary.

The blind of Tsunoda is not only financially. He also spoke about the attention and priority that Verstappen gets within the team. “Everything revolves around Max, and I understand that, but it doesn’t make it easier,” he said. This reflects the wider dynamics within Red Bull, where the focus is on Verstappen’s hunt for a fifth world title, while the second driver often plays a supporting role. Tsunoda’s promotion was co -driven by the pressure of Honda, Red Bulls motorcycle supplier, who, according to sources, paid 10 million euros to get the Japanese in the RB21. Yet his position seems anything but certain, with speculation that drivers like Isack Hadjar are ready to take over if his performance does not improve.

The Formula 1 community responded mixed to tsunodas statements. Fans on social media praised are honesty, but some found it inappropriate to openly talk about Verstappen’s salary. “He has to focus on faster driving instead of Max” bank account, “wrote a fan on X. Meanwhile, Verstappen remains unperturbed, with his visor aimed at the upcoming Grand Prix of Austria, where he will wear a special helmet. While Red Bull is struggling with a fourth place in the constructors’ championship, the question remains whether Tsunoda can live up to its place. His comments about Verstappen’s salary have made at least one thing clear: in Formula 1 not only speed, but also money is a source of rivalry.