Yuki Tsunoda Slams Liam Lawson After 'Shocking' Red Bull Qualifying Mistake

Yuki Tsunoda has publicly criticized Liam Lawson for his aggressive defensive driving during the final moments of the first sprint qualifying segment in Austin. The incident, combined with a crucial team error, left Tsunoda without a final flying lap, relegating him to P18 for the sprint race and adding further pressure to his uncertain Red Bull future.

Why it matters:

This incident highlights growing tensions within the Red Bull driver pool, particularly as Tsunoda's F1 seat for 2024 remains unconfirmed. A 'shocking' team mistake in a critical qualifying session, compounded by a teammate's aggressive defense, underscores the high-stakes environment and the internal dynamics at play, potentially impacting Tsunoda's standing with the team.

The Details:

• The Incident: During the final laps of sprint qualifying in Austin, Tsunoda was at the back of the queue, needing to quickly get to the start/finish line for a final lap.
• Lawson's Defense: As Tsunoda attempted to overtake Lawson in Sector 1, Lawson's aggressive defense forced Tsunoda wide.
• Team Error: Tsunoda ultimately failed to cross the timing line before the checkered flag, meaning he couldn't set a final lap time and was eliminated in SQ1.
• Tsunoda's Reaction to Lawson: When asked about the incident, Tsunoda remarked, "It’s more like his usual [driving]. I expect nothing more than that from him," indicating a pre-existing view of Lawson's racing style.
• Tsunoda's Reaction to Team: He labeled the team's garage exit timing as "pretty shocking," stating, "It wasn’t even close. I don’t know what happened, to be honest. Something went wrong and I didn’t have the opportunity to do a lap time. A big shame."
• Frustration: Tsunoda expressed significant frustration, noting, "It’s very frustrating because it’s not in my control. We can control it, but it’s more up to them than my side. It’s pretty shocking."
• Starting Position: Tsunoda will start the sprint race from 18th on the grid, facing a difficult challenge to score points.

Between the lines:

This event unfolds at a critical juncture for Tsunoda. With his Red Bull future in serious doubt, every session is a chance to prove his worth. A combination of what he perceives as a teammate's uncooperative driving and a significant operational error from his own team in qualifying puts him at a major disadvantage. Such public criticism, especially concerning a 'shocking' team mistake, could be seen as an attempt to shift blame or express deep-seated frustration as his F1 career hangs in the balance. It also highlights the intense competition for seats within the Red Bull junior program, where drivers like Lawson are eager to impress.

What's next:

Starting from P18, Tsunoda faces a steep climb in the sprint race to salvage any points. The pressure will be immense for him to deliver a strong performance to justify his place on the grid for next season. The incident also puts a spotlight on the internal dynamics at AlphaTauri/Red Bull and how such tensions might affect future driver decisions.