Yuki Tsunoda “too far away” with 17th in FP2: “I don’t know what’s going on”
Tsunoda’s last Formula 1 grand prix for now got off to a poor start
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda was shocked by his underperformance in Free Practice 2 for Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with ‘one of the worst gaps’ to Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda had to sit out FP1 at Yas Marina as incoming Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad – the main reason why the Japanese racer finds himself without a seat for 2026 – drove his car, allowing Red Bull to fulfil the regulations regarding mandatory young driver running on grand prix weekends.
Tsunoda then took a lowly 17th position in the evening session, with his 1m24.303s quickest time 0.857s slower than Verstappen’s benchmark.
“I didn't expect it to be like this challenging, to be honest, but it's too far away,” he commented. “I don't know what's going on, to be honest. I have to see why and what's going on. But the gap seems one of the worst in the season. So, let's see.”
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Clive Mason / Getty Images
Asked whether the RB21 was okay or not very comfortable to him, Tsunoda said: “Didn't feel much comfortable, let's be honest, in the car. I kept sliding around. I have to find out why, what's causing this issue. But it's not really good.”
Red Bull’s outgoing driver, who will take on a test and reserve role for 2026, no longer has much at stake, other than potentially improving on his current 15th place in the drivers’ standings (he could mathematically finish between 10th and 19th) or helping the team to second place in the constructors’ championship, where its deficit to Mercedes is 33 points.
Even if both Silver Arrows retired while Verstappen won, this would require Tsunoda to finish the race in sixth at the very worst – something he has done just once this season, with precisely sixth in Baku.
Photos from Abu Dhabi GP - Practice
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Abu Dhabi GP - Friday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
Honda confirms when its new F1 power unit will be introduced on Aston Martin car
How British GP win might help Charles Leclerc “massively” in F1 2026
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Yuki Tsunoda deserves a return to full-time racing, says Laurent Mekies
Christian Horner: Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda swap "wasn't my choice" in 2025
Yuki Tsunoda escapes as Red Bull F1 car bursts into flames during San Francisco demo run
Max Verstappen 'absolutely regrets' not signing with Mercedes, says Guenther Steiner
Sergio Perez reveals brutal Christian Horner 'two car' message ahead of Red Bull stint
Why there are no quick fixes for all of Max Verstappen’s frustrations at Red Bull
NASCAR Atlanta, Lime Rock television ratings
Kyffin Simpson aims to replicate 2025 Nashville showing or "a couple spots better"
Kevin Harvick supports Bubba Wallace penalty; not sure rule is necessary
Pierre Gasly tests new A110 Future prototype with Duke of Richmond at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Two (and a bit) years on: Red Bull's 2024 political ructions have had the opposite effect
Cars, stars, and the shootout winners from the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Why Charles Leclerc’s battle of the brakes has left him trailing Lewis Hamilton
What is Racing Bulls doing that Red Bull isn't?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments