Why Yuki Tsunoda, Kimi Antonelli, and Franco Colapinto Are Under big pressure?

• By Dr. AK Rana

Yuki Tsunoda, Kimi Antonelli, and Franco Colapinto. Three different drivers, three rising pressure graphs—each with their own script unfolding in the unpredictable drama of Formula 1.

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Let’s start with Yuki Tsunoda.

Yuki, once the cheery star from Japan, seems to be forgetting how to smile.

Why?

Because of the cursed second seat at Red Bull. When he made the switch, he believed—like every ambitious driver—that he could crack the code.

That he would excel.

That this might be the season where he finally gets that elusive Grand Prix win.

But that ship isn’t sailing—it’s sinking.

No matter how hard he tries, it ends in a DNF, a crash, or just painfully out of the points.

Now, with Arvid Lindblad making waves as a potential reserve driver for Red Bull, the pressure has only amplified.

Because this isn’t the Yuki we know.

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Yuki is a much better driver than the results suggest.

And he knows it. He’s desperate to nail it, break it, crack it—more than anyone else.

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Next: Kimi Antonelli.

The young rookie with a Netflix spotlight, hailed as the next big thing in F1.

He even bagged a pole.

But since then?

A string of point-less weekends, crashes, engine failures, and disappointing qualis.

Being a rookie is hard.

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Being a rookie in Mercedes—a top team—comes with a different kind of pressure.

Other rookies can blame the car.

Kimi can’t.

In one interview, when asked:

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“Who would you name as rookie of the year?”

Kimi, caught off guard, asked, “What?”

The question was rephrased: “If not you, then who?”

He replied, “Isack Hadjar. Because he’s definitely doing a good job.”

Oof.

That stings.

It’s harsh when a rookie in a top car acknowledges another rookie outperforming them.

But Kimi isn’t wrong.

Isack is performing consistently.

And Kimi wants nothing more than to do the same—especially when every weekend is a microscope at Mercedes.

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One or two off-races are fine.

But if that becomes the pattern?

People start questioning.

Comparisons become cruel.

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Finally, Franco Colapinto

With a massive fanbase and a strong debut at Williams, Franco looked like he’d hit the ground running.

But in Alpine, it’s been rough.

Three races, and the form just isn’t there.

When asked about it, Franco explained that it was a triple-header, and the switch from Williams to Alpine left little time to adapt.

Fair point.

He drove Williams even before F1, so the familiarity was there. Alpine?

Not so much.

And yet, the comparisons have already begun.

Jack Doohan fans and commentators alike are pointing out how much stronger Jack looked.

The pressure?

 Doubled.

Because Franco replaced Jack after just six races—and Alpine made it clear: this is just a five-race opportunity.

Which, frankly, is ridiculous.

Every driver needs time to adjust.

You can’t slap a deadline on adaptation.

But hey—who are we to say anything?

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If Alpine meant five races, then yes—Franco’s clock is ticking. Loudly.

Every race matters in Formula 1.

But for some, every race feels like a trial, a chance to prove they belong—not just on paper, but on the podium.

To Yuki, Kimi, and Franco—we see your fight. We’re watching, and we’re rooting for you.

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