Yuki Tsunoda has no explanation for his problems in China, but hopes that he can return to his form of previous races in Miami
Yuki Tsunoda can’t really explain the Formula 1 weekend in China. Having previously made it into Q3 three times in a row, the Japanese driver finished 19th and second last in Shanghai, first in sprint qualifying and then in qualifying for the main race
After scoring points in Melbourne and Suzuka, he finished 16th in the sprint in China and did not even see the chequered flag in the race after a collision with Kevin Magnussen. For him, it is above all “hard to believe” how he was able to crash so badly in qualifying.
“I was pretty happy with my lap,” he reveals – and still finished second last. When asked whether there was a track-specific problem, he replied: “To be honest, I don’t think so. Because right in FP1 I had the feeling that the rear had no grip.”
This was not a problem with his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, which is why he does not believe that the VCARB 01 had a problem in general in Shanghai. Ricciardo finished the sprint and both qualifying sessions well ahead of Tsunoda.
“The team definitely tried very hard to find the reason,” reports the Japanese driver, who initially had no answer immediately after the weekend as to why he was suddenly “very far behind” in Shanghai after a strong start to the season
Tsunoda: Successful start to the season despite China loss
“These things happen sometimes, and I hope that […] it will be better in the next round in Miami,” emphasizes Tsunoda, who reveals that the data showed that he simply slid a lot more than the other cars.
This was not the problem with his team-mate, which is why the Japanese driver makes it clear: “If I am able to come back strongly in Miami with normal form, I am sure that I can fight strongly again around P10.”
In any case, he does not want the weak China weekend to overshadow his generally good start to the season. Tsunoda emphasizes: “Nevertheless, the team is satisfied, the car is not so bad compared to last year. “
Tsunoda currently has seven championship points, compared to just two for the Racing Bulls, who were still called AlphaTauri at the same time last year. They are currently in P6 in the world championship and thus at the top of the midfield.
And after the disappointment in China, the form curve should point upwards again this weekend in Miami
