Tsunoda "Too Far Away" in Abu Dhabi FP2, "Don't Know What's Going On"
Yuki Tsunoda was left surprised and concerned by his 17th-place finish in Abu Dhabi FP2, citing a significant gap to Max Verstappen and discomfort in the car. Having missed FP1, Tsunoda now faces an uphill battle to find pace and contribute to Red Bull's championship goals in what will be his final few races before moving to a test and reserve driver role in 2026.
Yuki Tsunoda was left bewildered by his performance in Free Practice 2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing 17th and admitting the gap to Max Verstappen was "one of the worst" he's seen all season. Having sat out FP1 for rookie Arvid Lindblad, Tsunoda struggled to find comfort in his car, raising questions about his final races with the team before transitioning to a test and reserve role in 2026.
Why it matters:
After being confirmed for a test and reserve role in 2026, Tsunoda's recent performances, particularly this struggle in Abu Dhabi, highlight the challenges he faces as his full-time F1 career winds down. While his future is set, a strong finish to the season would be crucial for his standing and any potential future F1 opportunities. His current struggles also indirectly impact Red Bull's fight for second in the constructors' championship, where they trail Mercedes.
The Details:
- Tsunoda finished FP2 in a disappointing 17th position, with his fastest lap of 1m24.303s being 0.857s slower than Max Verstappen's benchmark.
- He expressed surprise at the challenging session, stating, "I didn't expect it to be like this challenging, to be honest, but it's too far away."
- Tsunoda attributed his struggles to a lack of comfort in the car, noting, "Didn't feel much comfortable, let's be honest, in the car. I kept sliding around."
- He was forced to miss FP1 to allow incoming Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad to fulfill mandatory young driver running regulations.
- Tsunoda's immediate goals include improving on his current 15th place in the drivers' standings and potentially aiding the team in closing a 33-point deficit to Mercedes for second in the constructors' championship.
- However, securing a significant points haul would be challenging, as he has only finished sixth or higher once this season (Baku).
What's next:
Tsunoda will be focusing on understanding and resolving the issues that plagued his FP2 session to salvage a respectable performance in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. While his 2026 role as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull is confirmed, improving his on-track performance in these final races remains vital for his long-term F1 prospects and demonstrating his value to the Red Bull family. The team will also be keen for him to contribute any possible points to their constructors' battle.