Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying Insights: Tsunoda Struggles, Verstappen Held Back
In a challenging qualifying session for the Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing’s Yuki Tsunoda faces significant hurdles, starting from P18, while his teammate, four-time champion Max Verstappen, will begin the race in P7.
Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, commented on Tsunoda’s performance, emphasizing the difficulties posed by the RB21’s design. He noted that the car operates within a "narrow working window," creating instability that challenges drivers, particularly in fluctuating track conditions. "With his first set, he was still somewhat within range, which might have secured Q3," Marko stated. "But Yuki struggles to adapt to changing conditions, unlike Max."
Marko also remarked on Verstappen’s potential, suggesting that a brief yellow flag linked to Pierre Gasly’s spin hampered his qualifying performance. "Without the yellow flag, Max could have been around P3," he added, acknowledging that the gap to McLaren was substantial.
Tsunoda expressed disappointment following his qualifying run, stating, "I’m not even at the level I was in the VCARB. I couldn’t adjust properly during my second push; the balance felt completely different, which caught me by surprise."
As the team prepares for the race at the Red Bull Ring, the contrasting performances of Verstappen and Tsunoda underscore the challenges Red Bull faces, highlighting the need for adaptation and performance consistency amid evolving track conditions.
