The Japanese driver had been hoping to continue with his improving form after the Mexico City Grand Prix, stating that his performance was his "best race yet" since joining Red Bull.

However, with four Q1 eliminations already this campaign, another early exit occurred at Interlagos after an earlier crash in FP1.

Tsunoda was always on the back foot after his early retirement from the only free practice session of the weekend, and that showed during SQ1.

Along with Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson, Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz were the others who were eliminated at the first attempt.