Published: 4/21/2024 09:00
While Daniel Ricciardo finally showed signs of affirmation in the fifth race of the season, Hiroki Tsunoda, who had outperformed his RB teammate in both qualifying and the finals of the first four races, suddenly stopped at the Shanghai International Circuit.
The eight-time Grand Prix winner outperformed Yuki Tsunoda in every session leading up to F1 Chinese Grand Prix qualifying. In free practice he was at 7 tenths, in sprint qualifying he was at 5 tenths and in qualifying he still had a lead of 3 tenths.
Before the weekend, Yuki Tsunoda had said he was “definitely confident” and was aiming to qualify for Q3 and compete for points, but after the first day he lamented: “This is the first time I have difficulty in this very .” He seemed confused, thinking that all the trial and error was done with his arms and hands, and that he was stuck in all directions.
Regarding his qualifying lap, Yuki Tsunoda said: “I’m quite satisfied”, but his lap time didn’t match his feelings at all, and he ended up on the last row of the grid, 19th, just like in qualifying sprint. .
We had a problem with the DRS in qualifying, but it was working on the second flying lap, so we didn’t use it as an excuse, saying that although it affected the time, it didn’t have a big impact on the driving or the car. equilibrium.
Courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool
Hiroki Tsunoda (Visa Cash Up RB Formula 1 VCARB 01) ahead of Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Saturday 20 April 2024 Chinese F1 GP Qualifying
This situation is very similar to Ricciardo’s in the first four races. Like Hiroki Tsunoda, Ricciardo had been concerned about the discrepancy between his sensations and lap times, and had just received his long-awaited new chassis this weekend.
Does Yuki Tsunoda also have some problems with his car? Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant, doesn’t think so.
When asked why Hiroki Tsunoda continued to struggle throughout the weekend, including qualifying, and lost to Ricciardo for the first time this season, Marco replied: “This is the first time he has driven on this circuit,” and said lack of experience was a problem. one reason defended the situation by saying it was a contributing factor.
He also expressed the opinion that spending FP1, his only practice, on hard tires did not help him prepare for subsequent sessions of sprint qualifying, sprint qualifying and main qualifying. Yuki Tsunoda did not use hard tires in either session.
“Overall he complained about a very unstable car and I think this is the main reason,” added Marko, asking for the team’s support.
#Turn #Events.. #Helmut #Marko #Highlights #Hiroki #Tsunodas #Collapse #Suddenly #Crashes #Chinese #Formula1 #Data #Information #Latest #News #Commentary
