Yuki Tsunoda Takes Blame for Imola F1 Qualifying Crash

Yuki Tsunoda placed the blame on himself after a heavy crash during Q1 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying session. The accident happened early as Tsunoda lost control of his RB21 through the tricky section at Imola and made strong contact with the inside wall.

He was taken to the medical center for precautionary checks and was cleared before the end of qualifying. Tsunoda told reporters the crash felt “unnecessary” and “stupid,” saying he pushed too hard without fully understanding the changes Red Bull had made to his car ahead of the session.

After the incident, Tsunoda said he felt embarrassed and frustrated, calling the mistake “really stupid” and “very unnecessary,” especially so early in the session. This marks the first time in four years he’s crashed out of Q1; his last early exit also came at Imola during the 2021 Formula 1 season.

The crash left his car with major damage, and Red Bull mechanics face a tough overnight repair job to get the RB21 ready for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Tsunoda said he had not yet spoken to the team but planned to apologize, knowing the extra work he created for his crew was not needed.

Tsunoda’s early exit means he will start at the back of the grid for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. In contrast, his teammate Max Verstappen secured second on the grid, lining up behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for the race.

Tsunoda described his mix of disappointment and regret, pointing out that pushing in the early stages of qualifying, especially after many car changes, was a mistake. The team will be working intensely to repair the damage sustained to the RB21 in time for Sunday’s race.

Mechanics will need to replace several components, and depending on the damage, Tsunoda’s car might even need to start from the pit lane if some parts can’t be changed without penalties. For more details on F1 technical regulations, refer to the FIA’s official sporting regulations. Despite the crash, Tsunoda was not injured and was able to walk away from the scene.

This crash adds to Tsunoda’s challenging record at Imola, with another Q1 incident in 2021. Qualifying also saw notable performances, including Verstappen’s strong front-row start and Oscar Piastri’s pole, along with mixed results for other drivers and teams as the season continues. More insights can be found in the Imola GP watch.

Tsunoda’s focus will now shift to recovering positions during the race and supporting Red Bull’s points haul. The team remains hopeful that the car will be repaired in time, though any extra work the mechanics must do is a setback in a busy Grand Prix weekend.

Fans will watch to see how Tsunoda bounces back from his early exit and whether Red Bull’s hard work in the garage leads to a better result on race day. For historical context on Imola’s significance in F1, visit the Circuit Encyclopedia.