Yuki Tsunoda Faces Challenges with Pace at the Spanish Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda, the talented driver for Red Bull Racing, expressed his confusion regarding his speed during the initial practice sessions of the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite completing two relatively trouble-free sessions, he found himself perplexed by a lack of competitiveness, stating, “I have no idea why I’m slow.”

Smooth Sessions but Slow Pace

During the Friday practice, Tsunoda noted that both of his sessions went smoothly, lacking any significant mechanical issues. However, the raw pace he displayed was noticeably slower compared to his teammate, Max Verstappen. This discrepancy was particularly evident during the qualifying simulations on soft tires, where Tsunoda finished six-tenths of a second behind Verstappen.

In his feedback over the team radio, Tsunoda voiced concerns about the handling of the RB21, mentioning that he experienced sliding at both the front and rear axles of the car. His performance data indicated a marked difference in cornering speed through critical turns, specifically Turn 9 and Turn 10, when compared to Verstappen’s results.

Assessing Performance

Reflecting on the day’s activities, Tsunoda described the experience as “tricky.” He acknowledged that, in comparison to other Grand Prix weekends, the first day felt relatively smooth. He believed he made some advancements from the first free practice (FP1) to the second (FP2), yet he could not pinpoint the exact reasons behind his slower lap times. “The lap was pretty good as well, considering FP2, and obviously, it’s not like I’m fully at 100%,” he remarked, revealing his frustration at not meeting his performance expectations.

Despite feeling that the car’s balance was acceptable, Tsunoda recognized that he was struggling to fully understand the limitations affecting his performance. He expressed hope that the team could identify improvements ahead of the race, stating, “Hopefully we can find something; otherwise, it’s really tough.”

Team Dynamics and Future Prospects

Tsunoda’s comments reflect a broader context within the team. While he was not making significant mistakes that would typically explain a performance gap, the mystery of his slower pace presented its own set of challenges. With a curfew imposed on team activities, he anticipated a longer night ahead, as they aimed to uncover solutions to enhance his performance.

On the other hand, Verstappen shared a more optimistic outlook about his own performance on Friday. He described his day as “OK” and noted a slight sense of positivity compared to previous weekends. Although he still desired a more comfortable driving experience akin to his performance in Imola, he was relieved not to feel completely out of touch with the car.

Track Conditions and Feedback

Verstappen commented on the enjoyable nature of the circuit, noting the warm conditions that can be demanding on tire performance. He assessed his Friday as satisfactory, stating, “We’ve had worse Fridays,” and expressed a desire to improve further. “I felt a bit happier with the car,” he noted, acknowledging that while the car’s setup was not yet perfect, there were signs of improvement.

He recognized that each circuit has its unique characteristics, which can affect performance, but felt that his experience was more balanced compared to earlier sessions. “I’ve also had Fridays where we were completely out of it,” he added, which helped contextualize his current situation.

Conclusion

As the team prepared for the next stages of the Spanish Grand Prix, both Tsunoda and Verstappen aimed to find the right setups to maximize their performance on the track. With Tsunoda actively working to decipher the reasons behind his slower pace and Verstappen looking to enhance his connection with the car, the Red Bull Racing team faced a combination of challenges and opportunities as they moved closer to the race day. The coming hours would be critical as they sought to optimize performance and address any issues that had arisen during practice.