Tsunoda's Disappointing Q2 Exit at US Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda faced a surprising Q2 elimination at the United States Grand Prix, a setback following a difficult Sprint qualifying session where he failed to advance past Q1. Despite a strong performance in the Sprint race itself, where he made up significant ground, his qualifying struggles continue to plague his weekend.

Why it matters:

Consistency in qualifying is crucial for scoring points in Formula 1, especially for mid-field teams. Tsunoda's repeated Q2 exits at Austin put him at a disadvantage for the main race, making it harder to convert his raw race pace into tangible results. This ongoing challenge highlights the pressure on drivers to deliver strong Saturday performances to maximize their Sunday potential.

The details:

• Tsunoda qualified 13th, over seven-tenths of a second slower than his teammate, Max Verstappen.
• This marks his second consecutive Q2 exit at the Circuit of the Americas, following a Q1 elimination in the Sprint qualifying session.
• During his final push lap, Tsunoda reported on the radio that Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson was impeding him. Lawson also had his lap time deleted, leading to his second Q2 exit of the weekend.
• Despite the qualifying struggles, Tsunoda showcased strong race craft in the Sprint, climbing 11 places after starting 18th.

Looking Ahead:

While qualifying proved challenging, Tsunoda will aim to replicate his impressive Sprint race performance in the main Grand Prix. His ability to make up positions suggests that, given the right strategy and a clean race, he could still fight for points. However, starting further down the grid always adds an extra layer of difficulty, making strong starts and clever overtakes essential for a successful Sunday.