Did Tsunoda crack the RB21's code? 'Now it makes sense!'

17:31, 19 Sep

Updated: 17:50, 19 Sep

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byKada Sarkozi

Yuki Tsunoda made a positive step in terms of the long run in Azerbaijan, the Japanese driver explained after FP2.

Now it makes sense!

- Yuki Tsunoda to F1 TV

Yuki Tsunoda in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures

Tsunoda finished 14th in the second free practice session of the day. About his shorter run, the Japanese driver began to F1 TV: "There's some room to put it all together. It's something that I tried."

"It's getting there lap by lap, it just building it up throughout the week. At least we are going in the good direction."

The Japanese driver explained their focus was on the long runs in Baku, and it finally clicked for him this Friday, he explained with a smile.

"I have never seen these kind of things so far this year in the long run. So far it's working, which is good. Now it makes sense so far with the long run."

Marko also positive about Red Bull's chances

Talking about the team's Friday in Azerbaijan, the Austrian external advisor was also positive about the rest of the weekend.

In his verdict, Marko said: "I believe we will be in the top three tomorrow in qualifying. That means we can also fight for the win in the race. The momentum is there, the car has a wider window, and it’s easier to set up. So that is definitely a step forward.”

Similarly to Tsunoda, the Austrian was also encouraged by the team's long run pace, but explained they need to improve on short runs.

Permane praises Tsunoda

Before the second free practice session at the FIA press conference, Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane had some nice words for the Japanese driver.

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"I didn’t know Yuki at all before I started with the team in 2024, and I was immediately impressed by him — by his pace, by how he can handle the tyres, his qualifying pace, how he could get on top of the tyres as quickly as he did to extract the most out of the car in qualifying," Permane said.