28 November 2025The RaceAnalysisRace reportQualifying report
Tsunoda Out-Qualifies Verstappen in Qatar Sprint: What Happened?
Yuki Tsunoda out-qualified Max Verstappen for the first time in his F1 career at the Qatar Sprint, starting fifth to Verstappen's sixth. Verstappen's performance was hampered by floor damage from an earlier error, while Tsunoda made a crucial setup change to improve his car. This unexpected result comes as Red Bull finalizes its 2026 driver plans, adding significant weight to Tsunoda's bid to retain his seat.
A combination of Yuki Tsunoda's strong turnaround and Max Verstappen's floor damage led to an unexpected intra-team qualifying result for Red Bull at the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race. Tsunoda will start fifth, just ahead of Verstappen in sixth, marking the first time Tsunoda has out-qualified his teammate.
Why it matters:
- This result is a significant moment for Yuki Tsunoda, coming just as Red Bull is finalizing its 2026 driver plans. A strong performance could be crucial for his future in Formula 1.
- For Max Verstappen, this rare defeat in qualifying, even for a sprint, highlights how even minor car damage can impact performance and showcases the tight margins in F1.
The Details:
- Verstappen topped SQ1 and was a mere tenth off Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in SQ2, appearing set to challenge for pole.
- Verstappen's Error: His final runs were compromised by a mistake at Turn 4 in SQ3. A loss of control, a trip over the kerb, and contact with the gravel damaged his car's floor during his first push lap.
- Although he attempted a second run, the floor damage significantly impacted his performance, leaving him 0.09 seconds slower than Tsunoda.
- Tsunoda's Turnaround: Tsunoda started SQ1 nearly three tenths behind Verstappen and complained of excessive understeer in SQ2.
- He made a bold call for an aggressive three-turn flap adjustment during a quick pitstop mid-session, which dramatically improved his car's balance.
- Despite a mix-up with a perceived yellow flag on his first SQ3 lap, a tidy final lap was enough to outpace Verstappen.
- Verstappen's Car Issues: Verstappen himself noted dissatisfaction with his car's balance on soft tires, citing "really bad bouncing and very aggressive understeer that would shift into oversteer in high speed."
What's next:
- Tsunoda's timing for this performance couldn't be better as Red Bull prepares to finalize its 2026 driver lineup. This result could serve as a critical argument for retaining his seat, especially with speculation about his potential replacement by Isack Hadjar or even a full departure from a race seat if Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are paired at Racing Bulls.
- While the extent of Verstappen's damage makes a direct comparison challenging, Tsunoda's overall pace this weekend, even before SQ3, looked promising. This could signal a more competitive Red Bull showing overall, a scenario where Tsunoda has previously shone against his teammate when the car package is stronger.
- The sprint race itself will be the immediate test of where both drivers truly stand, with the main Grand Prix on Sunday providing further context for their respective performances.