Rosberg Blasts 'Crazy' Red Bull Situation After Tsunoda's 'Inexplicable' Performance

Nico Rosberg has sharply criticized Red Bull, highlighting the "inexplicable" performance gap between Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda, calling their inability to solve the issue "crazy." The former world champion questioned how such a large deficit could persist.

Why it matters:

Red Bull has consistently struggled to find a strong second driver to partner Max Verstappen, a problem that has seen multiple talents like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, and even initially strong Sergio Pérez fail to match Verstappen's pace over time. This ongoing issue raises questions about team strategy and driver development.

The details:

• Dominant Pole: Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Italian Grand Prix, setting a lap record at Monza with the fastest average speed in F1 history.
• Tsunoda's Gap: His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, qualified only tenth, more than seven-tenths of a second slower than Verstappen.
• Rosberg's Reaction: Rosberg branded this significant performance delta "inexplicable" and "crazy," especially given Tsunoda's recognized driving ability.
• Car Specification: While admitting Tsunoda's car might not be "100% the same" as Verstappen's, Rosberg firmly stated it doesn't account for a seven-tenths difference, perhaps only "a tenth or something."

The big picture:

This situation underlines a long-standing challenge for Red Bull: finding a driver who can consistently perform close to Verstappen's elite level. The team's inability to foster or maintain a competitive second driver has been a recurring theme, even as they dominate the Constructors' Championship.

What's next:

The disparity in performance will likely reignite discussions about Red Bull's driver lineup for future seasons and the pressure on Yuki Tsunoda to close this gap. His future at the team, or even in F1, could hinge on demonstrating more consistent pace closer to his teammate.