Sainz and Tsunoda Suffer Shock SQ1 Eliminations in Brazil

Carlos Sainz and Yuki Tsunoda were among the high-profile casualties failing to advance from the first segment of sprint qualifying in Brazil. Sainz's struggles continued with the slowest lap, while Tsunoda's session was marred by an earlier FP1 crash, adding pressure to his Red Bull future.

Why it matters:

This surprising outcome for both drivers significantly impacts their starting positions for the Sprint Race, making it challenging to score points and recover momentum. For Tsunoda, in particular, underperformance during a crucial phase of the season could have long-term implications for his Formula 1 career with Red Bull.

The details:

• Carlos Sainz could only manage the 20th and slowest lap in SQ1, a stark decline for the Ferrari driver who has been on a difficult run of results recently. His frustration was evident, stating, "This is the worst execution I have seen in my entire life."
• Yuki Tsunoda's struggles began earlier in the weekend with a difficult FP1 outing where he spun into the barrier, limiting him to just 19 laps. Despite his efforts, he couldn't find enough pace, ending the session in 17th place.
  • Tsunoda is currently fighting for his future within the Red Bull driver program, making this setback particularly concerning for his prospects.
• Other notable eliminations from SQ1 included Esteban Ocon, who qualified 19th.
• The drivers who advanced narrowly ahead of Tsunoda and Sainz were Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson, highlighting the tight margins in the session.

The big picture:

Sainz's consistent struggles represent a significant dip in form for a driver who started the season strong. For Tsunoda, every session is a test, and underperforming in a high-stakes sprint qualifying further complicates his position within the competitive Red Bull ecosystem, especially with other junior drivers vying for a spot.

What's next:

Both Sainz and Tsunoda face a challenging Sprint Race where they will need to execute flawless drives to make up positions and salvage any points. The pressure will be particularly intense on Tsunoda to demonstrate his capabilities and fight for his place in the sport.