Tsunoda's 'Best Weekend' in Vegas: A Question of Optimism
Yuki Tsunoda boldly labeled his pit-lane start, points-less Las Vegas Grand Prix as “one of his best weekends,” despite finishing 12th. He cited strong free practice pace against Max Verstappen and external factors like safety cars as hindrances to a better result, underscoring his enduring optimism amidst calls for tangible race-day performance.
Yuki Tsunoda, never short on self-belief, characterized his Las Vegas Grand Prix as “one of his best weekends,” a bold claim despite a pit-lane start, another points-less finish, and Max Verstappen's dominant win.
Why it matters:
- Tsunoda's consistent struggle to translate raw pace into tangible race results casts a shadow over his Formula 1 future, especially with Red Bull's driver lineup decisions for 2026 looming.
- His self-assessment, which heavily relies on practice session performance rather than actual race finishes, highlights a potential disconnect between his perceived performance and on-track reality.
The details:
- Pit Lane Start: Tsunoda's weekend began with an early Q1 exit due to incorrect tire pressures, forcing him to start from the pit lane.
- Points-less Finish: Despite two McLaren disqualifications post-race, he still only managed to climb to 12th position, remaining outside the points.
- External Factors: Tsunoda attributed his lack of race success to external factors, stating, “The [Virtual] Safety Car [was called] right after I pitted. So that’s not ideal at all, and that’s it really,” and “It feels like everything is so far going against me.”
- Practice Pace: He emphasized his pace during free practice sessions, claiming, “Multiple times – FP1, FP2, FP3 – in multiple laps, I was ahead of Max in performance runs.” He viewed this as a significant personal achievement not seen in a long time.
- However, free practice sessions are notoriously unreliable indicators of true race pace, given varying fuel loads and tire strategies.
- Verstappen Acknowledged: Tsunoda did concede that Verstappen's strength lies in elevating his car's performance significantly during qualifying and races, a clear differentiator.
The big picture:
- Tsunoda's narrative of hidden potential, constantly thwarted by misfortune or technical glitches, has become a recurring theme in his career.
- While raw speed in practice is valuable, Formula 1 demands consistent execution under pressure during qualifying and, most importantly, on race day.
- Red Bull's diplomatic acknowledgment of team errors in Vegas (like early pitting for free air) subtly supports Tsunoda's 'unlucky' narrative, yet the ultimate responsibility for converting opportunities into results often falls on the driver.
What's next:
If Tsunoda's "best weekends" continue to result in finishes outside the points, his position within the Red Bull family for 2026 and beyond will likely come under intense scrutiny. His ability to consistently deliver on race day will be paramount to securing a long-term future in Formula 1.