Tsunoda balks at SQ1 exit and labels Red Bull's communication as 'poor'

00:55, 03 May 2025

A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.

Yuki Tsunoda failed to make it past SQ1 in Miami. The Japanese F1 driver blames 'an intelligent car' and Red Bull Racing for his early elimination.

So what was the issue that prevented Tsunoda from moving past the first part of the Sprint Shootout in Miami? The Japanese driver explains in conversation with F1TV.

"Some intelligent car just came out from [the] pits and broke my lap. A lot of cars cost my lap quite a lot. Even [in the] last corner, obviously, I had quite a lock up, but to be honest the lap was pretty gone already from turn one already because of the car at the exit. Just wasn't able to do a proper lap at all. So yeah, that's it."

Red Bull's poor communication also cost Tsunoda dearly

When preparing to go again, after his previous attempt had failed, Tsunoda had a chance to go again. However, Max Verstappen was ahead of him, causing Tsunoda to slow down.

The Dutchman then bolted to the pits, leaving a slow Tsunoda trying to accelerate desperately to reach the timing line before the session's clock reached zero, which he failed to do.

"I was [aware time was running out], but I could do whatever I can. What do you want me to do? I don't know, because there's a car in front. I mean, communication is pretty poor as well. Just in general, I didn't properly qualify," summerised the Japanese.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	171
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	131
3	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	125
4	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	80
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	79
6	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	79
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	73
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	42
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	41
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	30
11	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
12	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	16
13	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	14
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
15	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
17	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
18	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
21	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Tsunoda balks at SQ1 exit and labels Red Bull's communication as 'poor'

Red Bull's poor communication also cost Tsunoda dearly

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