In Friday’s dash qualifying on the Qatar Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda ended Max Verstappen’s 37-strong unbeaten streak in Formulation 1 qualifying in opposition to his successive team-mates.
Tsunoda seemed rejuvenated, hailing a “clear” and “clean” weekend to this point and rejoicing that he discovered “extra confidence” in his Purple Bull automobile, which had led to that season excessive in qualifying – fifth place.
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Twenty-four hours later, Tsunoda recorded his tenth Q1 exit out of 26 classes since becoming a member of Purple Bull, and the Japanese is baffled as to how such a downturn in kind even occurred.
“I don’t know what occurred as a result of the lap was fairly tidy,” he stated. “Just like what I had even yesterday [when it was enough for] P5. The automobile was just about the identical. We modified one factor but it surely should not have an effect on that a lot. Yeah, I don’t know. All of a sudden I misplaced the grip or tempo.”
Yuki Tsunoda, Purple Bull Racing
Photograph by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Tsunoda insisted he had made “no errors” and his lack of efficiency was “unusual”, as he was three tenths down on Verstappen; he even branded his lap “fairly good”.
With a compulsory two-stop technique within the race resulting from considerations over tyre put on, Tsunoda is aware of he received’t have the ability to get better many positions tactically, whereas the Losail observe is notoriously troublesome to overhaul on, so he’ll as a substitute give attention to taking the very best begin.
He’ll want it, as he’s set to lose his Purple Bull drive and is known to be combating Liam Lawson for the second Racing Bulls seat alongside incoming rookie Arvid Lindblad for the 2026 marketing campaign – that means his F1 profession is in danger.
Requested if he may do one thing on Sunday to alter the scenario or if it was already determined, Tsunoda retorted: “I imply, I do know you guys need a twist and all the pieces, but it surely’s not determined but.”
A top-seven end may at the very least vault him forward of Lawson within the drivers’ standings, with the New Zealander main him by 36 factors to 32.
Pictures from Qatar GP – Dash and Qualifying
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
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Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
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Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
Qatar GP – Saturday, in pictures
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