Formula 1 was rocked by a bombshell on April 20, 2025, when RB driver Yuki Tsunoda filed a formal grievance with Red Bull, exposing a $1 million salary shortfall compared to teammate Liam Lawson for the 2025 season. The revelation, aired in a heated Motorsport Week interview before the Chinese Grand Prix, has set the paddock ablaze. Tsunoda’s frustration didn’t stop there—he inadvertently leaked Max Verstappen’s staggering $75 million annual earnings, leaving fans reeling on X. What triggered this explosive drama, and how will it reshape Red Bull’s inner workings?
Tsunoda, 24, disclosed he’s paid $2.5 million at RB, while Lawson, newly promoted to Red Bull Racing, earns $3.5 million despite just 17 F1 starts to Tsunoda’s 85. “I’ve earned more—where’s the fairness?” he vented, pointing to his 2024 season (46 points, P6 in Miami) versus Lawson’s 9 points in five races. His complaint, lodged with Red Bull’s leadership, demands equal pay, citing a 0.9-second qualifying advantage over Lawson in RB’s 2024 head-to-head. X erupted with #YukiFightsBack, fans cheering his 2023 Suzuka charge, though detractors call it a “tantrum,” noting Lawson’s 97% simulator accuracy.
The Verstappen bombshell stole the spotlight. Tsunoda’s rant—“Max gets paid a fortune, I get crumbs”—confirmed the Dutchman’s $75 million package, split between a $50 million base and $25 million in bonuses, per Business F1. Dwarfing Hamilton’s $45 million at Ferrari, it floored X users (#MaxMillions), with memes joking he “owns half the grid.” Verstappen, cool in Shanghai, said, “Wins pay the bills.” His 2024 haul—9 victories, 408 points—backs the figure, but it stokes Tsunoda’s resentment, as RB’s $130M budget lags Red Bull Racing’s $150M.
Red Bull’s response is cautious. Christian Horner labeled it “an internal issue,” but hinted salaries reflect potential, per Sky Sports. “Yuki’s solid, but Liam’s the future.” Helmut Marko, Tsunoda’s backer, privately favors Lawson’s poise, per AMuS, risking friction with Honda, RB’s engine partner tied to Tsunoda. RB’s 2025 car, with 5% aero gains, needs Tsunoda’s input, making harmony vital. His P11 in China’s FP3, trailing Colapinto, suggests distraction.
The stakes are high. Tsunoda’s 2024 consistency—points in 10 races—clashes with Lawson’s raw pace (P7 in Australia). If ignored, Tsunoda could target Haas or Alpine’s 2026 seats, per F1i. X splits: #PayYuki lauds his grit; #LawsonBetter backs Red Bull’s bet. Verstappen’s wealth, meanwhile, resets benchmarks—Norris ($22M) now eyes parity. RB’s Constructors’ P6 ($45M prize) hangs in the balance.
Tsunoda’s stand exposes F1’s ruthless pay game. His $1M fight challenges Red Bull’s pecking order—will he win respect or burn bridges? Verstappen’s fortune, a glaring contrast, fuels the fire. As Shanghai looms, the saga simmers: a driver scorned, a champion paid like a king, and a team stretched thin. Can Red Bull quell the storm, or is this just lap one of a longer feud?
