Yuki Tsunoda has defined how he gave Components 1 title-contending team-mate Max Verstappen tows for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix pole place – and can sacrifice his race too.
After his ground was broken in a pitlane collision with Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Free Apply 3, Tsunoda moved again to an older specification and solely simply scraped by to Q3.
The Japanese driver took fifteenth in Q1, simply 0.008s forward of Lewis Hamilton, then tenth in Q2, merely 0.007s quicker than Oliver Bearman as the highest 15 vehicles certified inside 0.367s.
“After that Antonelli collision, I needed to revert again to the outdated ground, which, to be sincere, price my efficiency into qualifying,” Tsunoda commented. “So, I type of anticipated it will be troublesome to get by [to] Q3.
“Clearly going by Q3 and serving to Max was the baseline plan. However on the similar time, I used to be a bit bit apprehensive about that, with that spec. However I in the end made it by.”
Yuki Tsunoda, Crimson Bull Racing
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
This paved the best way for his helping position in Q3, when he gave Verstappen a tow on each of the Dutchman’s runs, which helped the latter set pole by two tenths over his title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Tsunoda opened up about how a lot stress that represented. “As a result of I could not be very shut into Flip 5, could not be very far,” he defined. “So it was very traumatic, to be sincere. However at the very least I used to be capable of do it, they usually gave me some compliments. I am going to take it.”
“Yuki was unimaginable – the slipstream labored completely,” Crimson Bull advisor Helmut Marko informed ServusTV. “So issues are already wanting higher once more.”
Learn Additionally:
Having misplaced his Crimson Bull drive for 2026 as he’s demoted to a take a look at and reserve position with the crew, Tsunoda has nothing to lose anymore and can play a tactical position as pitstops unfold.
This evokes recollections of Sergio Perez who, in 2021, had his first pitstop delayed in order that he may hinder digital race chief Lewis Hamilton, costing the Mercedes racer seven seconds relative to Verstappen.
“I am going to do as a lot as I can to assist him,” Tsunoda affirmed. “Probably, it will most likely compromise my technique, however together with his place, how he ended up, there’s nonetheless an opportunity to get a championship. So, I am going to do as a lot as I can.”
Pictures from Abu Dhabi GP – Apply & Qualifying
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
Abu Dhabi GP – Saturday, in pictures
We would like your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Group
