'It’s only a matter of time now before Tsunoda vacates that seat'

Speaking on BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, the British driver shared his thoughts on the Japanese driver’s situation, after he was lapped during the Marina Bay race: "He got lapped by his team-mate and by the frontrunners."

He then added that "it’s only a matter of time now before he vacates that seat; it’s just a matter of when, not if."

Bird then wondered whether that moment might come before the end of the season: "Would they give someone like Isack Hadjar a chance and go, ‘Look, you’ve got six races now with the big team.’"

After a positive run of form, the Japanese driver struggled again in Singapore, falling noticeably behind his teammate. He failed to reach Q3 in qualifying, ending up almost a full second adrift.

Things didn’t improve in the race either — Tsunoda was even lapped by the four-time world champion while he was battling Lando Norris for second place. The Japanese driver eventually finished twelfth, once again outside the points.

Despite the huge gap to his teammate and the fact he was lapped, the Japanese driver still chose to see the glass half full.