Form 1 – Red Bull: Yuki Tsunoda says he overcame his main weakness

Yuki Tsunoda: a crucial turning point in Baku

Yuki Tsunoda, a young Japanese Red Bull driver, is at a critical crossroads in his Formula 1 career. With only nine points in fourteen races, he has to correct his rhythm deficit in the race. Unlike others, his qualifications stand on the road: it's the way to stand on the distance that is fishing, and he is fully aware of it.

The real construction site: the rhythm in the race

Since Monza, the Nippon has focused all its work on degradation and continuity as a relay. Target: Convert good grid positions to regular points. On the eve of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the message is clear: « In the short term, there is potential to assemble everything ».

Baku, first reassuring clues

Friday's testing provided encouraging signals. P14 in FP2, Tsunoda focused mainly on long relays. « We had some problems with FP2, but the focus was the long run and it is significantly improved. I've never seen this this year. », he explained.

Its average time in medium are located at the top of the 1,46, barely behind the rhythm of Max Verstappen in soft. Above all, he appeared at the McLaren d'Oscar Piastri and in front of the two Mercedes on the same sequences. A prudent optimism.

Red Bull settings: a heading found?

Red Bull seems to have found a setup window that stabilizes the car over time. Verstappen spoke of a better balance in Baku; If this base is run in hand, Tsunoda could be the first beneficiary. And there's an urgent need: Red Bull plans to freeze his 2026 duo before the Mexico Grand Prix in four races.

Internal pressure and exit doors

Isack Hadjar is given favorite to support Verstappen next season. For Tsunoda, the alternative Racing Bulls exists... but remains blurred, between Liam Lawson's performance and Arvid Lindblad's likely promotion. Without a quick click, the hypothesis of an exit from the plateau is no longer taboo.

Baku, fake friend for the "second seat"

The previous Sergio Pérez recalls that Baku is not always a faithful barometer: two Red Bull victories, a weekend 2023 in hand, 2024 qualifications ahead of Verstappen before a late match with Sainz. A peak of shape in the shadow of the ramparts was never enough, alone, to consolidate a place at Red Bull.

Transform the test

For Tsunoda, Baku must be a real turning point, not an umpteenth thrill without tomorrow. The progress displayed in long relays must be translated into controlled race management, undercut/overcut and clean relay ends. Time is running out: every turn counts, every point weighs.

Photo credit : Pixabay

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