Yuki Tsunoda laments power failure that denied him Q3 at British GP

Yuki Tsunoda was left frustrated after another disappointing qualifying session saw him exit in Q2 at the British Grand Prix. Narrowly missing out on Q3 by a tenth of a second, the Red Bull driver will start from P11 tomorrow after Oliver Bearman’s grid penalty is applied.

Tsunoda has struggled so far this season in the Milton Keynes machinery, but his Silverstone campaign was looking promising as the driver finally felt like he was making progress with the RB21. 

Speaking after the session, he revealed a power loss cost him his Q3 appearance.

“I lost the power, to be honest,” Tsunoda explained. “I started with the lap, launching into the last corner, the power I normally get – I didn’t have it.

“I lost about a tenth in Turn 3, just from that lap time until the main straight. And a couple of acceleration boosts that was not working in the last push.

“So, considering that, the lap was pretty good. And how tight it was… I think most likely I was going through to Q3. So, really annoying. Q3 was possible.”

The timing couldn’t have been worse as he continues to push back against discussions surrounding his future in Red Bull after a string of poor performances.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

“Really happy with the progress I’ve had. I think this was the cleanest race weekend we’ve had so far. The confidence and everything… Car felt good in qualifying. Every time, there’s something I get in the last push. Well, it’s not always the last push, but this time it was the last push, when it counts. It’s annoying. And to be honest, like I said – without that, I would’ve gone through to Q3. So yeah, that’s annoying.”

With confidence now on his side this weekend, he can at least blame the car for his lack of performance. But tomorrow will see him in an uphill fight as he claws his way back to where he belongs in the pack.

“The team gave massive support for me to gain that confidence back again. And it was working. Until qualifying, in terms of preparation, everything went well.

“Just the last push, you know, the power thing, it’s not a thing I can control. Really, really annoying.”

Starting P18 in Austria, Tsunoda finished 16th ahead of four DNFs, making this weekend a welcome improvement. 

“At least I’m not starting P18… closer to the points. So, you know, that helps. I’m looking forward to the race. It’s been a while since I scored points, to be honest. Last time I scored… I don’t remember. So, I have to score points and make the team happy.

“So, it’s probably still going to be a tough race, but at least we made a couple of steps that I think I can do.

“I know what to do better going into the race as well. So, I’m still being optimistic. But I don’t think you’ve seen the full picture yet. And at the same time, still – it’s not – There are a couple of bits and bobs of it, you know. I know there’s something to come from the car as well. So… coming races, let’s say, so let’s see.”

Photos from British GP – Practice & Qualifying