Yuki Tsunoda Laments Las Vegas GP Misfortunes: 'Everything is going against me'

Yuki Tsunoda expressed deep frustration following a challenging, point-less Las Vegas Grand Prix, describing his tough Formula 1 season as one where "everything is going against me." Despite his best efforts, a series of unfortunate events, including a qualifying error, a strategic pit stop under a virtual safety car, and a two-stop strategy that didn't pay off, left him feeling utterly out of luck.

Why it matters:

• Tsunoda's ongoing struggles highlight the fine margins and unpredictable nature of Formula 1, where even minor errors or unlucky circumstances can derail an entire race weekend.
• His performance impacts AlphaTauri's constructor standings, a crucial factor for a team fighting in the midfield.
• For Tsunoda himself, consistent poor results, regardless of fault, put pressure on his future in a Red Bull-affiliated seat.

The Details:

• Qualifying Blunder: Tsunoda started 19th after Red Bull's pit crew made a critical mistake with his tire pressures during qualifying, compromising his grid position.
• Parc Ferme Breach: To mitigate the qualifying issues and attempt to improve his race prospects, the team opted to breach parc ferme regulations, adjusting his setup and installing a new power unit, forcing a pitlane start.
• Unlucky Pit Strategy: Starting from the pitlane, Tsunoda pitted on the first lap, switching from mediums to hards. This timing proved disastrous as a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was deployed shortly after, allowing rivals to pit under caution and gain a significant advantage.
• Two-Stop Disadvantage: Tsunoda found himself on one of the few two-stop strategies, which ultimately did not yield results, leading to a 14th-place finish (later adjusted to 12th after McLaren's disqualifications).
• Setup Disappointment: Even the post-qualifying setup tweaks to his RB21 failed to satisfy Tsunoda, who felt the car still wasn't optimal.

Between the Lines:

• Tsunoda's frustration, though often attributed to 'bad luck,' underscores the immense pressure F1 drivers face, particularly in mid-field teams where every point is critical.
• The decision to breach parc ferme and change the power unit suggests a desperate attempt by the team to salvage the weekend, highlighting the depth of their initial qualifying error.
• His remarks about losing time due to the VSC, even before reviewing the race, indicate a strong emotional response to a series of setbacks.

What's next:

• Despite the dismal weekend, Tsunoda noted a new engine change as a potential positive for the upcoming races. He hopes this new power unit will offer improved performance, although it remains to be seen if he can leverage it to score points.
• With only two rounds remaining, Tsunoda will be looking to turn his fortunes around and finish the season on a stronger note, hoping to avoid further 'bad luck' and demonstrate his pace.