Tsunoda Claims He's 'Very Close' to Verstappen's Pace Amidst Red Bull Future Doubts

Yuki Tsunoda believes his recent race pace puts him "very close" to teammate Max Verstappen, a crucial assertion as the Japanese driver fights to secure his spot within the Red Bull family. His future at the Milton Keynes-based squad hangs in the balance due to an inconsistent season, leaving him 17th in the drivers' championship.

Why it matters:

Tsunoda's position at AlphaTauri, Red Bull's sister team, is under intense scrutiny. With Daniel Ricciardo's return and Liam Lawson's impressive stand-in performances, Tsunoda needs to prove his worth decisively. His ability to match or closely follow Verstappen's pace, even if anecdotal, is a critical claim to strengthen his case for remaining in F1, especially as Red Bull battles for P2 in the Constructors' Championship.

The Details:

• Improved Confidence and Pace: Tsunoda highlighted a significant boost in confidence, particularly over the last two race weekends. He attributes this to the car feeling "great" in race trim and the effectiveness of recent updates.
• Claim of Matching Verstappen: He explicitly stated, "I’m lapping very close to Max," suggesting a step forward in his raw pace and understanding of the car.
• Team Recognition: AlphaTauri team boss Laurent Mekies praised Tsunoda's pace in Mexico City, calling it among his best performances of the year.
• Constructors' Battle: Tsunoda recognizes the importance of contributing to Red Bull's Constructors' points, as the team is locked in a tight, three-way fight with Mercedes and Ferrari for second place, with only 10 points separating them.
• Brazilian Grand Prix Outlook: Looking ahead to the Sao Paulo F1 weekend, Tsunoda anticipates a "crazy" event, largely due to the forecast of rain. He sees this as a potential equalizer, emphasizing the team's ability to maximize track time and handle challenging conditions.

What's next:

The upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix presents a dual opportunity for Tsunoda. It's a chance to consistently demonstrate the pace he claims to have and to contribute vital points to the Red Bull (AlphaTauri) effort in the Constructors' Championship. A strong performance, especially in unpredictable weather, could significantly bolster his argument for a contract extension and help his team in their fight for second place against Mercedes and Ferrari.