Spanish GP Qualifying: Verstappen Third, Tsunoda Struggles Continue
Max Verstappen secured a commendable third place on the grid for the Spanish Grand Prix, while Yuki Tsunoda’s qualifying session ended in disappointment. The Red Bull driver was eliminated in Q1 and recorded the slowest time, marking him as the second Red Bull driver this season to struggle significantly in qualifying.
Following the session, Helmut Marko indicated that Tsunoda’s performance is an issue that requires internal discussion. Tsunoda himself expressed frustration, acknowledging a “fundamental limitation” in the car without clarity on its specifics.
Verstappen weighed in, suggesting that previous performances with the Red Bull team’s junior drivers indicated Tsunoda’s potential: “He’s not a pancake, right? When he was in those Racing Bulls, he always looked good compared to Hadjar,” he remarked. Isack Hadjar, who also commented post-qualifying, echoed that Tsunoda “definitely is worth more than a P20,” urging him to keep pushing through the challenges.
This trend of underperformance from the second Red Bull seat has persisted over the years, often leaving Verstappen without adequate support during races. “Of course it’s been going on for a long time. Maybe that’s also a sign,” Verstappen noted, hinting at the persistent difficulties in the car’s handling. He elaborated, stating, “If you don’t have enough grip, then that’s it. The balance was good, but we just didn’t have enough grip.”
While Tsunoda’s struggles impact Red Bull’s constructors’ championship standing and potential prize money, Verstappen maintains that a competitive car outweighs having a formidable teammate. However, he acknowledged that the current vehicular performance, particularly in terms of grip, is lacking: “We just lack a bit of grip. The overall performance just isn’t there. And we know that.”
As the team prepares for the race, the focus remains on addressing these technical deficiencies to regain competitiveness against rivals, particularly McLaren.
