Yuki Tsunoda Reveals Frustration Over Red Bull Core Limitation

Yuki Tsunoda is facing one of his toughest Formula 1 weekends after qualifying last at the Spanish Grand Prix. Driving the Red Bull RB21, he struggled for pace around Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and finished Q1 in 20th position, half a second slower than Max Verstappen and two-tenths off the next-closest competitor.

The Japanese driver had shown some promise in practice, running ninth, 13th, and 14th, but his qualifying effort marked a dramatic drop in performance. Speaking after qualifying, Tsunoda described his experience as “hell,” blaming a “core limitation” with his car for the sudden loss of speed.

He explained that he lacked overall grip throughout his laps and that setup changes did little to help. Tsunoda noted the issue appeared suddenly, despite steady progress in earlier races, including a strong run in Monaco and occasions where he matched his world champion teammate’s times in certain sessions.

However, in Spain, any setup choice seemed ineffective, leaving him unable to find answers for the drop in pace. Tsunoda also highlighted high tire degradation as a significant problem.

According to him, the car was “eating the tyres like hell,” making it difficult to keep the pace during both short and long runs. Despite trying several approaches, nothing improved the situation.

He expressed confusion over the cause, stating that the main limitation of the RB21 remains unidentified and that no adjustments have removed the underlying problem since the second free practice. Looking ahead to the race, Tsunoda admitted that the same “core limitation” would likely affect his Grand Prix performance.

Despite expecting a difficult time, he remained determined to fight for a finish in the points, aiming for the top 10. While some teams might consider a pit lane start and more drastic setup changes in these situations, Tsunoda was not convinced it would make a difference without first understanding the car’s fundamental problem.

Red Bull faces extra pressure as Tsunoda tries to recover from the back of the grid, while Verstappen continues to fight at front. The team has experienced a mix of results in recent races, with Tsunoda showing glimpses of pace but lacking consistency.

This setback in Spain adds another challenge as both drivers look to help Red Bull defend its standing in the Constructors’ Championship. With the race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya presenting tricky conditions and tire management proving crucial, Tsunoda’s admission underlines just how fine the margins are in Formula 1.

He remains hopeful that some setup tweaks might ease his issues, but he knows the road ahead will not be easy without finding the root cause of the RB21’s problems. The Spanish Grand Prix promises more drama, with Tsunoda pushing to recover and teams ready for any opportunity.

As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on the Red Bull driver to see if he can turn his fortunes around despite the struggles he faces this time out.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.