Red Bull blunder triggers answer demands as Qatar GP goal targeted

19:45, 26 Nov

byNorberto Mujica

A technical Red Bull decision condemned the team’s hopes of a more complete result at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

"I want to know why this thing... it was so basic stuff. It was by far out of the window. It's not talking small or anything. There's not much chance to be competitive with that."

- Yuki Tsunoda

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Although Max Verstappen ended up winning the race, Yuki Tsunoda could only finish in P12. However, the weekend undoubtedly looked far more positive for the Japanese driver since he’d even managed to place ahead of Verstappen during the first practice session, and to keep up with the Dutch driver’s pace throughout the rest of the sessions.

Nevertheless a mistake with tyre pressures levels ahead of qualifying preventing the Japanese driver from finishing the session further up than P19. He would start the race from the pit lane, though, after Red Bull decided to fit the #22 RB21 with a brand new power unit.

Tsunoda wants answers

Tsunoda reached the chequered flag in P12, a position he did not believe was representative of his potential.

“I want to know,” the Japanese driver said demanding answers from the team. “I want to know why this thing... it was so basic stuff. It was by far out of the window. It's not talking small or anything. There's not much chance to be competitive with that.

“Also, I think it was avoidable. We couldn't avoid or at least improve in the session. It's something that we have to look at. We just literally threw it away.”

Hopeful Tsunoda targets Qatar GP

Tsunoda said he was closely matched with Verstappen throughout every session leading up to qualifying, which gives him a platform of performance to replicate for the Qatar Grand Prix.

“At least I've shown multiple times until qualifying – from FP1 to FP3, every session, performance run, I was fighting quite strongly against Max and multiple times ahead of him,” he claimed.

“It was something that they didn't see and I didn't have as well for a long time. It's something that I should take as a positive. My pace was amazing there.

“I mean, the incredible thing about Max is that he'll bring another level into the qualifying. But also, I had confidence as well, more than at any grand prix. Yeah, very [much a] shame. But the positive is the pace is getting there, improving. So, [it's about] doing the same in Qatar,” Tsunoda concluded.

Mekies issues mea culpa for Tsunoda blunder

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies admitted the team caused Tsunoda’s Q1 exit in Las Vegas qualifying due to a significant mistake with tyre pressure settings, leaving Tsunoda without grip. Read his full comments here.

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