was shocked by his underperformance in Free Observe 2 for Method 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with ‘one of many worst gaps’ to Purple Bull team-mate .
Tsunoda needed to sit out FP1 at Yas Marina as incoming rookie – the primary cause why the Japanese racer finds himself and not using a seat for 2026 – drove his automobile, permitting Purple Bull to fulfil the rules concerning obligatory younger driver operating on grand prix weekends.
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Tsunoda then took a lowly seventeenth place within the night session, together with his 1m24.303s quickest time 0.857s slower than Verstappen’s benchmark.
“I did not anticipate it to be like this difficult, to be trustworthy, nevertheless it’s too distant,” he commented. “I do not know what is going on on, to be trustworthy. I’ve to see why and what is going on on. However the hole appears one of many worst within the season. So, let’s examine.”
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Yuki Tsunoda, Purple Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Purple Bull Racing
Requested whether or not the RB21 was okay or not very snug to him, Tsunoda stated: “Did not really feel a lot snug, let’s be trustworthy, within the automobile. I saved sliding round. I’ve to search out out why, what’s inflicting this subject. However it’s probably not good.”
Purple Bull’s outgoing driver, who will tackle a take a look at and reserve position for 2026, now not has a lot at stake, aside from doubtlessly enhancing on his present fifteenth place within the drivers’ standings (he may mathematically end between tenth and nineteenth) or serving to the group to second place within the constructors’ championship, the place its deficit to is 33 factors.
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Even when each Silver Arrows retired whereas Verstappen gained, this might require Tsunoda to complete the race in sixth on the very worst – one thing he has performed simply as soon as this season, with exactly sixth in Baku.
Photographs from Abu Dhabi GP – PracticeLando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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A fan in an Ayrton Senna helmet
A fan in an Ayrton Senna helmet
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Flavio Briatore, Alpine Staff Principal
Flavio Briatore, Alpine Staff Principal
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
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Paul Aron, Alpine F1, Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari
Paul Aron, Alpine F1, Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Alexandra Saint Mleux
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Peter Sauber
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Mika Hakkinen, Ella Hakkinen
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Jak Crawford, Aston Martin F1 Staff
Jak Crawford, Aston Martin F1 Staff
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
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Cian Shields, Aston Martin F1 Staff
Cian Shields, Aston Martin F1 Staff
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Paul Aron, Alpine
Paul Aron, Alpine
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Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Staff
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Staff
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Pato O’Ward, McLaren
Pato O’Ward, McLaren
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Cian Shields, Aston Martin F1 Staff
Cian Shields, Aston Martin F1 Staff
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Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Staff
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Staff
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Paul Aron, Alpine
Paul Aron, Alpine
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Paul Aron, Alpine
Paul Aron, Alpine
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Zak Brown, McLaren
Zak Brown, McLaren
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Cian Shields, Aston Martin F1 Staff
Cian Shields, Aston Martin F1 Staff
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Arvid Lindblad, Purple Bull Racing
Arvid Lindblad, Purple Bull Racing
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Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari
Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Staff
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Staff
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Bernie Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Staff
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Staff
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Staff
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Staff
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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