Red Bull Admits 'Big Mistakes' Led to Tsunoda's Las Vegas Q1 Exit
Red Bull Racing has apologized for "big mistakes" in managing Yuki Tsunoda's tire pressures during Las Vegas GP qualifying, which led to his unexpected Q1 exit. The team boss, Laurent Mekies, took full responsibility, acknowledging that the oversight severely hampered Tsunoda's performance in the tricky wet conditions. Tsunoda described driving on "ice" and will start 19th, while his teammate Max Verstappen secured P2.
Red Bull Racing has taken full responsibility for Yuki Tsunoda's disappointing Q1 exit at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, attributing the outcome to "quite big mistakes" with tire pressures. Despite Tsunoda's strong rhythm throughout the weekend, he will start the race in 19th position, joining Lewis Hamilton on the back row. Team boss Laurent Mekies issued an apology, acknowledging that these errors should not have occurred and expressing regret for taking away Tsunoda's chance to perform.
Why it matters:
Red Bull's admission of fault highlights the critical role of minute technical details in Formula 1, especially in challenging conditions. A seemingly minor oversight with tire pressures can dramatically impact a driver's performance, turning a promising weekend into a frustrating one. For Tsunoda, this incident is particularly painful as it negated his earlier good form and placed him at a significant disadvantage for the race, while his teammate Max Verstappen secured a second-place start.
The details:
- Tire Pressure Oversight: Red Bull failed to properly adjust Tsunoda's tire pressures, which proved crucial given the low-grip, cold, and wet conditions of the Las Vegas street circuit.
- Driver's Struggle: Tsunoda described the grip levels as the worst he had experienced since joining F1 in 2021, likening his driving experience to being "on ice." He also noted "terrible" visibility.
- Bewilderment: Tsunoda expressed confusion over his performance, as he typically feels comfortable on wet tires but lacked any similar sensation in Vegas, finding himself three seconds off the pace of other drivers.
- Verstappen's Agreement: Max Verstappen echoed Tsunoda's concerns about the extremely slippery track. While he found the extreme wet tire more manageable, he struggled significantly for grip on the intermediate tires in Q3 as the track improved.
What's next:
Red Bull's quick admission of responsibility is a step towards rectifying internal processes. The team will undoubtedly conduct a thorough review to prevent similar errors in the future. For Yuki Tsunoda, the focus now shifts to the race itself, where he will face a challenging climb from 19th on the grid. His ability to navigate the unique conditions of the Las Vegas circuit and make up positions will be a test of his resilience and skill, despite the qualifying setback.