Tsunoda’s Qualifying Struggles Continue in Austria
Yuki Tsunoda expressed frustration after a disappointing qualifying session for the Austrian Grand Prix, where he will start in 18th position. This marks yet another setback for the Red Bull driver, who has struggled since joining the team, scoring only seven points across his first eight races.
"I’m really tired of starting with a P18 or P19. I was expecting at least Q3 today," Tsunoda stated. Despite feeling positive about the car’s performance during initial laps, he attributed his inability to capitalize on the pace to a lack of experience with the car’s narrow performance window.
Tsunoda noted, "It’s just normal, but every time in qualifying, it’s a bit of frustration," hinting at the steep learning curve he faces. Current team leader Max Verstappen has also reported similar challenges adapting the car’s set-up, but his greater familiarity allows for better adjustments during qualifying runs.
As Tsunoda prepares for the race, he indicated he would start on soft tires, limiting his strategy options compared to what his competitors may use. "It’s not really positive that I have lots of soft tires in the tank," he explained, highlighting the challenge in overcoming his starting position.
As the race approaches, the focus will be on whether Tsunoda can leverage his experience to maximize performance from the rear of the grid.
