Laurent Mekies managed to find positives in Yuki Tsunoda’s difficult Singapore weekend. "We'll work with him to improve together."
- Laurent Mekies on Yuki TsunodaWhile Max Verstappen finished on the podium for the fourth time in just as many races since the summer break, the Japanese driver missed out on points after a Q2 exit on Saturday.
"It was not a good Saturday for Yuki. I think honestly on Friday, I was satisfied with the work he has done," Mekies began about Tsunoda's weekend in Singapore.
"It was not looking spectacular on page one, but looking at every single lap, I think it was at the right level on Friday.
"Then Saturday was poor, we need to work with him to understand what derailed it.
The French team boss then continued by looking at Sunday’s race. "The first lap was certainly shocking, but from that point onward, I think he has done a very decent race.
"I think he came back from, I think, P18 to P12 with a very decent pace.
"So we had a very poor Saturday it's costing us so we can and a few points and we'll work with him to improve together," he concluded.
Yuki Tsunoda driving the RB21 in Singapore - Photo: Race Pictures
Tsunoda explains Lap 1 difficulties
He said: "Every place I tried to go, every corner in the first lap, I was literally covered or blocked by someone. I just didn't have any space to go. I lost so many positions in the first lap. It was definitely the worst start ever.”
Red Bull remains in fourth place in the constructors' standings. While McLaren secured its second consecutive title, the battle for second place remains open.
Mercedes leads Ferrari by 27 points, and Red Bull by 35 points in the standings.
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