Yuki Tsunoda at the Red Bull Racing garage during the Singapore Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Tsunoda calls Singapore start ‘worst of my life’ after lap 1 incident

17:37, 07 Oct

Updated: 18:48, 07 Oct

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bySamson Ero

Yuki Tsunoda had the worst start of his life in Singapore, the Japanese driver explains.

"It definitely was the worst start on the first lap ever in my life.”

- Yuki Tsunoda

The Red Bull driver, speaking after the night race, lamented how he was blocked on every corner during the first lap. Tsunoda also explained how he didn’t have any space left, causing him to lose several positions.

"It definitely was the worst start on the first lap ever in my life. I still can't believe what happened in the first lap.”

"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.”

"I don't know what I should have done there. I'm sure there's something I could have done better. That for sure made my life very hard afterwards."

Yuki Tsunoda driving during the Singapore Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

The Japanese driver who started the night race on the soft tyres in 13th place following the disqualification of both Williams Racing drivers, slipped down to 16th on the opening lap of the race.

Tsunoda, who quickly got rid of the soft compound tyres, was largely faced with the herculean task of making up places through the Singapore race. The 25-year-old would take the chequered flag in 12th place, behind Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar.

Tsunoda on his pace in Singapore

Tsunoda also weighed in on his long-run pace during the Singapore Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver explained how he felt he had one of his best paces since his move to the Austrian outfit.

He said:"To be honest, the pace was one of the best I've had in my Red Bull career so far."

"Until two races ago, I was almost hopeless. The pace I had, whatever I did, I was almost P19, P18. But now I had a really good pace, very competitive towards the top of the field.”

Tsunoda, however, concluded by stressing that he still needs to focus on extracting maximum pace from the RB21 car through the final races of the calendar.

"Now I just have to extract the grip on the one lap. I just somehow couldn't feel much grip. I think just putting it all together with a one-lap pace and the long run is, I think, the key. If I'm able to do that, I think we'll come together. That's my main goal."

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Last time out at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Tsunoda recorded his best points-scoring finish for the Red Bull team, clinching sixth place at the Baku street race.

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