Yuki Tsunoda: Helmut Marko Misjudged Car Differences
Yuki Tsunoda has made a striking claim, suggesting that Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko did not fully grasp the performance disparity between his car and Max Verstappen's until crucial upgrades were introduced. This revelation comes as Tsunoda faces mounting pressure to secure his future at Red Bull.
Why it matters
Tsunoda's comments highlight a potential internal oversight regarding car development and driver performance evaluation within Red Bull. His recent improvement after receiving significant upgrades in Belgium and Hungary directly links car package to his struggles, shifting some focus from driver ability alone.
The details
- Initial struggles: Tsunoda found it challenging to match Max Verstappen's pace, consistently trailing the four-time F1 champion.
- Key upgrades: Significant improvements to his RB21 package, including a new floor in Hungary, were introduced before the summer break.
- Performance boost: Following these upgrades, Tsunoda's pace noticeably improved, and his lap-time deficit to Verstappen significantly decreased.
- Tsunoda's perspective: "Probably they, especially Helmut, didn't recognise that much the difference between me and Max, in terms of the package differences," Tsunoda stated. "As soon as they introduced that, my pace suddenly improved."
- Potential recognized: He noted the small gap to Verstappen in Hungary showed he "maybe [has] some potential," emphasizing the importance of the car's capabilities.
What's next
Tsunoda is under immense pressure to convert this improved pace into points. He has gone seven races without scoring, marking the longest point-less streak for any Red Bull driver.
- Urgent target: "I need to score points," Tsunoda acknowledged, preparing intensely during the summer break. "I just need to score points as much as possible."
- Contractual deadline: An agreement has been set regarding the timeframe for him to demonstrate strong performance to influence Red Bull's decision on his contract for next year. His immediate focus remains on consistently delivering results on track.