Japanese GP: Yuki Tsunoda Says Crimson Bull Extra Difficult Than Anticipated As Max Verstappen Reveals Automotive 'not Clicking'

Yuki Tsunoda says he discovered Crimson Bull’s automotive “extra difficult” to deal with than he had anticipated throughout his first apply periods for the group on the Japanese Grand Prix.

Tsunoda was final week promoted from Crimson Bull’s junior group Racing Bulls to a seat alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen, as Liam Lawson was remarkably demoted simply two races into the 2025 Method 1 season.

Making his Crimson Bull debut at his house occasion on Friday, Tsunoda initially appeared to fare effectively as he completed one place – and only a tenth of a second – behind Verstappen in first apply.

The 24-year-old was 18th in an unrepresentative second session interrupted by 4 crimson flags, however admitted afterwards that he had discovered the troublesome RB21 difficult.

Tsunoda stated: “FP1 was higher than anticipated. A very good begin for myself.

“FP2 I did not even set a lap time. A lot of work to do.

“Possibly barely struggled or there’s one thing we now have to look into the info for FP2 however to date it was okay, I simply must construct the boldness extra.”

Tsunoda had stated earlier this week in his first interviews since becoming a member of the group that he had loved driving the RB21 on the simulator at Crimson Bull’s Milton Keynes manufacturing facility and thought it’d swimsuit his driving type.

However on Friday, he stated: “It is a bit completely different to the simulator, what I felt. Possibly greater than anticipated when it comes to automotive feeling.

“I knew it might all the time be a bit completely different in the actual automotive and it was a bit extra exaggerated in the actual automotive, feeling a bit extra difficult.”

Verstappen: Issues not clicking for me

Tsunoda was not alone to find the automotive tough to drive, with Verstappen additionally struggling along with his set-up as he ended second apply in eighth.

Whereas Apply Two was a wierd session, Crimson Bull’s struggles had been highlighted by the truth that each Racing Bulls vehicles completed forward of the senior group.

Isack Hadjar was third, whereas Lawson claimed fifth on his return to the junior squad.

Verstappen stated: “It was fairly chaotic for everybody on the market with all of the crimson flags.

“Right this moment has been fairly tough for me. We tried a number of various things with the automotive nevertheless it looks like a number of issues should not actually clicking in the intervening time, so it is fairly tough to place the lap down.

“You want a number of confidence and dedication round right here. In the intervening time, I do not really feel like I can use that so I nonetheless have fairly a bit of labor to do.”

Verstappen has already displayed his means to maximise the automotive’s potential with second and fourth-placed finishes to begin the season, however would presently seem to have little hope of difficult McLaren’s spectacular tempo in Suzuka for the rest of the weekend.

Horner: Optimistic begin for Tsunoda

Crimson Bull group principal Christian Horner stated after Apply One which Tsunoda had made “a optimistic begin” with the group.

Horner stated that Tsunoda impressively being inside a tenth of a second of Verstappen was not a results of the Japanese driver being given extra energy than his team-mate within the RB21.

He informed Sky Sports activities F1: “They had been each equivalent engine modes.

“That is a optimistic begin for Yuki. He is aware of the circuit very effectively right here. His suggestions may be very clear, very concise within the automotive.

“It is simply the beginning of his journey with the group and there is lots to get into.”

Whereas they could have been operating the identical engine mode, Horner did counsel that Tsunoda’s automotive could be arrange otherwise to Verstappen’s in an try to make it extra driveable.

Requested in regards to the long-term struggles of Verstappen’s team-mates, Horner stated: “I feel we now have to supply a unique set-up.

“Max’s means to extract lap time from the automotive is exclusive and I feel that we’ve not seen one other driver in a position to do this in the way in which that Max is ready to.

“So due to this fact, I feel you have to give virtually a calmer automotive to whoever is the opposite driver, to present a extra settled and predictable really feel.

“That is not essentially the quickest automotive however it’s positively a extra confidence-inspiring automotive for whichever driver.”

Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Japanese GP schedule

Saturday April 5

3.15am: Japanese GP Apply Three (session begins at 3.30am)*
6am: Japanese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: Japanese GP Qualifying*
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*

Sunday April 6

4.30am: Japanese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
8am: Japanese GP response: Chequered Flag*
9am: Ted’s Pocket book*

*additionally reside on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion

Method is on the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime