Yuki Tsunoda faced challenges in his Red Bull debut, setting up for rain that never came at the Japanese Grand Prix.
- In a twist of fate, Tsunoda prepared his RB21 for a wet track, but the 53-lap race stayed dry.
- Despite making it past Q1, Tsunoda’s quest ended in Q2, finishing 15th.
- During the race, Tsunoda managed to overtake his predecessor, yet ended up in the same no-score position.
- Frustrations ran high for Tsunoda, who hopes to better his performance at future home races.
Yuki Tsunoda’s anticipation for his Red Bull debut at the Japanese Grand Prix was undercut by an unexpected weather turn. Tsunoda had tuned his RB21 for rain, which stubbornly stayed away throughout the 53-lap race. This left him dealing with a setup mismatch as the much-desired precipitation never materialized, rendering his car less competitive on the dry track.
Starting strong, Tsunoda checked off one achievement Lawson could not by moving past Q1, although he didn’t advance past the second qualifying round. His 15th place finish there was a step back from Lawson’s, yet his skill shone through during the race start as he passed Lawson.
Progress was hampered as Tsunoda found himself caught in a procession with past Red Bull racers, spearheaded by Pierre Gasly and flanked by Carlos Sainz. Despite outpacing Gasly, Tsunoda’s 12th place finish meant the second RB21 continued its streak of unscored races.
Tsunoda candidly expressed his disappointment and frustration with the lack of points in his debut, acknowledging the misstep in his setup: ‘I feel very frustrated and disappointed not to score points, but it is what it is’. He expressed determination to return in better form for his next home race, setting sights on more ambitious placements.
A comparison with teammate Verstappen’s approach revealed some key differences. While Verstappen opted for a smaller rear wing, enhancing speed and reducing stability, Tsunoda stuck with his original, more stable setup. This decision was partly due to limited time caused by practice session disruptions, highlighting a learning curve for Tsunoda in adapting to the swift demands of Formula 1 strategies.
Reflecting on the weekend, Tsunoda noted the challenges posed by switching from VCARB 02 to the Red Bull configuration, particularly in tire management. He acknowledged the weekend’s trials but took away invaluable lessons, boosting his confidence for future contests. Despite the hurdles, he continuously sought improvement and foresaw adjustments in strategy for similar future Grand Prix situations.
Tsunoda’s debut might not have gone as planned, but lessons learned will fuel his drive forward.
