Yuki Tsunoda’s Shocking Collision Sparks Outrage: “Incredibly Stupid” Move Labeled by Helmut Marko
In a jaw-dropping turn of events at the Italian Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda faces fierce criticism after a reckless collision with teammate Liam Lawson left both drivers on the back foot. Red Bull Racing’s advisor Helmut Marko did not hold back, deeming the incident “incredibly stupid” as both racers struggled to salvage points in a high-stakes competition.
The drama unfolded during a heated exchange on the track when Tsunoda attempted to overtake Lawson at the Roggia chicane. The two Red Bull hopefuls collided—Tsunoda’s front left wheel making contact with Lawson’s rear right, resulting in a clash that sent both cars off the circuit. Despite managing to continue, the damage to Tsunoda’s RB21 was significant enough to derail his race, forcing him to cross the finish line in 13th place, with Lawson closely trailing in 14th.
Marko expressed his dismay shortly after the race, stating, “There was an unnecessary collision with Lawson. I don’t know how bad the damage was. His pace, there was no pace.” His frustration became even more apparent in an interview with Sky Deutschland, where he slammed Tsunoda’s decision-making: “The collision with Lawson from our own team was incredibly stupid. It seems to have damaged the car severely.”
This collision comes at a critical juncture for Tsunoda, who is not only vying for a solid finish in the championship but also fighting for his very future with Red Bull. With only nine points amassed in 14 races and a mere six appearances in Q3, the pressure is mounting. The stakes couldn’t be higher as he seeks to prove his worth ahead of a crucial decision regarding next season’s driver lineup.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies weighed in on the situation, offering a more measured perspective on Tsunoda’s performance. “Today’s race for Yuki is difficult to read, because of the traffic in the first stint, damage in the second stint,” he explained. Mekies praised Tsunoda’s qualifying efforts, noting he was only two tenths off Max Verstappen in Q1 and performed commendably in Q2, despite the challenges faced during the race. “It didn’t help as well,” he added, emphasizing that qualifying in Q3 was still a significant achievement for Tsunoda.
As the clock ticks down to Red Bull’s decision on their driver lineup for next season, Marko revealed that the team had postponed their initial timeline, opting to observe a few more races before making a final call. “We’ve extended the options, or rather, the drivers have extended them with us,” he stated, hinting at the added pressure on Tsunoda to deliver.
With the spotlight now firmly on Tsunoda, fans are left to wonder if he can shake off this setback and prove his mettle in the high-octane world of Formula 1. As tensions rise and the pressure builds, the question remains: can Yuki Tsunoda recover from this disastrous incident, or is this the beginning of the end for his Red Bull career? The racing world holds its breath as we await the next chapter in this unfolding drama.
