Windy Setback: Yuki Tsunoda Reflects on Qualifying Challenges at the Canadian Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda believes he could have achieved a higher qualifying position for the Canadian Grand Prix if it weren’t for a sudden gust of wind that affected his final lap. Prior to the session, RB announced they had chosen to keep Tsunoda on their team due to his impressive performance in the current season, which includes scoring points in five races. Tsunoda had a strong chance of achieving another notable result as he progressed to Q1 in second place and then secured fourth place in Q2. However, a mistake at the exit of turn 2 during the top-ten shootout hindered his chances and he ended up three positions behind his RB teammate, Daniel Ricciardo. Tsunoda expressed his disappointment with the incident, stating that he lost control of the car due to the unexpected gust of wind, resulting in the loss of valuable time on the lap. Despite this setback, Tsunoda acknowledged his consistent performance in Q1 and Q2, where he was consistently among the top five. Despite his less than ideal lap, he managed to secure eighth place, leading to mixed emotions. Tsunoda also mentioned that he faced difficulties during the three practice sessions leading up to qualifying, making his achievement even more commendable. He highlighted the importance of both RB cars being in the top ten for the first time, emphasizing the positive result. Tsunoda also praised Ricciardo for his strong performance throughout the weekend, recognizing his experience and ability to handle pressure. He expressed his excitement for race day and the opportunity to explore different strategies. Tsunoda also mentioned that he is learning a lot from Ricciardo and values the good relationship between them.