Spanish GP: Max Verstappen defends Pink Bull team-mate Yuki Tsunoda after qualifying shocker and says he ‘is not a pancake’ | F1 Information
Max Verstappen has insisted that Yuki Tsunoda “isn’t a pancake” following his Pink Bull team-mate ending final in Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying.
Pink Bull have struggled to discover a serviceable team-mate for four-time reigning world champion Verstappen since Sergio Perez’s type dipped dramatically within the early levels of final season.
Perez was axed on the finish of 2024 with Liam Lawson promoted from Racing Bulls, earlier than Tsunoda dramatically changed his former team-mate after simply two rounds of the 2025 season.
There have been constructive flashes for Tsunoda however he has largely struggled, scoring simply seven factors in six rounds throughout a interval during which Verstappen has claimed two victories together with two additional podium finishes.
Earlier than Perez, Verstappen drove alongside Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who have been each moved on by Pink Bull after struggling to match the Dutchman, however have gone on to determine themselves as well-respected drivers within the sport.
Requested about Tsunoda’s struggles in Barcelona on Saturday, Verstappen instructed Dutch reporters: “Yuki is not a pancake. This [with the 2nd Red Bull driver] has been occurring for a very long time.
“Possibly that is an indication. Of what? That you would be able to determine your self.”
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Pink Bull’s Tsunoda and Williams driver Carlos Sainz each suffered early exits throughout qualifying in Spain
It is unclear what precisely Verstappen was implying, however his feedback may both be pointing to his stage of excellence, the shortcomings of Pink Bull’s vehicles, or each.
Verstappen, broadly thought of to be the clear premier driver on the present grid, is thought to have the ability to deal with automobile types and set-ups that depart among the world’s greatest drivers befuddled.
Tsunoda: It is a fairly robust state of affairs
Tsunoda appeared crestfallen after his exit, admitting he had been “joyful” along with his lap earlier than discovering out it was solely ok to place him on the very rear of the sphere.
The 25-year-old was sixth tenths off his team-mate’s Q1 effort, with Verstappen occurring to say third on the grid.
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Highlights from qualifying on the Spanish Grand Prix
The Japanese driver instructed Sky Sports activities F1: “Abruptly in comparison with some other Grand Prix I misplaced efficiency fairly considerably.
“Since FP1, the quantity of grip I had was very low. One thing unusual was occurring.
“We tried our greatest to remedy the problem however, to be trustworthy, no matter we did, we made a greater steadiness but it surely was not, total, a step ahead.
“The lap I had in Q1 I used to be fairly pleased with it, the arrogance was there however the grip itself isn’t following in any respect. It is a fairly robust state of affairs.”
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Tsunoda dramatically flipped his automobile into the limitations in Imola however fortunately walked away from the accident unscathed
Tsunoda had requested throughout Q1 for his ground to be checked after operating over a kerb, however he was not sure within the speedy aftermath of the session whether or not harm had been a think about his struggles.
He added: “It is exhausting to inform. I must see if there’s harm or not. I do not assume our trip was loopy. It was nonetheless an appropriate stage.
“From lap 1 [of the weekend], there was no tempo, so it wasn’t like I all of the sudden misplaced efficiency. I am presently struggling.”
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Tsunoda didn’t maintain again on the radio after Alpine driver Pierre Gasly crashed into his Pink Bull on lap 9 of the Monaco Grand Prix
In Pink Bull’s official press launch on following the session, workforce principal Christian Horner admitted Tsunoda’s struggles in Spain have been “obscure”.
“Yuki has struggled all weekend,” Horner mentioned.
“We went up just a little on the downforce to try to assist him but it surely’s obscure, we’ll want to take a look at it.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Spanish GP schedule
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Forward of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix we have a look again at among the most dramatic moments from earlier races on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Sunday June 1
7.25am: F3 Function Race
8.55am: F2 Function Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Spanish GP build-up*
2pm: The SPANISH GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Spanish GP response
*additionally reside on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion
F1’s European triple header concludes with the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, with Sunday’s race at 2pm and build-up from 12.30pm on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime