Tsunoda Gains Confidence with Fifth in Qatar F1 Sprint Qualifying
Yuki Tsunoda secured fifth place in Qatar F1 sprint qualifying, surpassing teammate Max Verstappen and expressing growing confidence in his Red Bull car. This personal best comes amid speculation about his 2026 seat, reinforcing his improving performance and technical involvement, as noted by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
Yuki Tsunoda secured a notable fifth place in Qatar Grand Prix sprint qualifying, outperforming teammate Max Verstappen and expressing increased confidence in his Red Bull Formula 1 car. This strong performance comes as Tsunoda faces a potential replacement by Isack Hadjar for the 2026 season.
Why it matters:
Tsunoda's strong showing, particularly ahead of a multiple world champion teammate, highlights his ongoing development and potential value in a highly competitive driver market. As rumors of his replacement circulate, these performances are crucial for his future in Formula 1, demonstrating his ability to extract performance from the car under pressure.
The Details:
- Tsunoda achieved his highest qualifying position for Red Bull, marking a significant personal milestone.
- He stated, "I feel more confidence in qualifying. I just have to put it all together," emphasizing a smooth weekend free of issues in practice and qualifying.
- Teammate Comparison: Max Verstappen, who struggled with his car's handling after opting for a different setup, qualified behind Tsunoda.
- Technical Involvement: Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko noted Tsunoda's improving speed, referencing a strong, though compromised, performance in Las Vegas due to a tire pressure error. Marko added that Tsunoda is now "more involved in the technical side."
- Future Prospects: While speculation suggests Isack Hadjar may take his seat in 2026, Tsunoda's consistent improvements and ability to challenge top drivers underscore his potential for a continued F1 career.
What's next:
Tsunoda aims to capitalize on this newfound confidence in the upcoming sessions, focusing on extracting more tenths from the car. His strong performance in Qatar will undoubtedly serve as a crucial data point as Red Bull and other teams evaluate their driver lineups for future seasons. If he can maintain this momentum and convert strong qualifying results into race finishes, it will significantly bolster his case for remaining in Formula 1.