Yuki Tsunoda Under Fire: ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Desperate’ Driving Style Criticized by F1 Rival After US GP Incident
In a dramatic turn of events at the US Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda has come under intense scrutiny from fellow Formula 1 driver Oliver Bearman following a controversial on-track clash that left Bearman seething with anger. The Haas F1 star did not hold back in his condemnation of Tsunoda’s driving, labeling it not only “dangerous” but also “desperate,” after their collision during the race.
The tension escalated on lap 35 when Bearman attempted to overtake Tsunoda for a coveted seventh place during a high-stakes maneuver at Turn 15. However, the attempt went awry as Tsunoda’s late defensive move sent Bearman spinning, nearly causing a catastrophic accident. Despite the chaos that ensued, Tsunoda escaped without a penalty, a decision that has since been questioned by Bearman.
“What he did was quite dangerous, against the spirit of how we should go racing and against the image that we should project to kids growing up in karting,” Bearman expressed in a heated statement to the media, including RacingNews365. He elaborated, “He was sliding all over the place for a few laps, and when I finally did stick my nose in and attempted to move, he moved in reaction. He didn’t leave a car’s worth of track. That’s not fair, that’s not allowed. It could have caused a huge crash without my quick avoidance.”
Bearman didn’t stop at just one incident; he pointed to Tsunoda’s overall performance during the weekend at Circuit of the Americas, highlighting a troubling trend. “In the sprint race, he sent it up the inside at Turn 1 and took out a sister car. In the main race, he did the same thing in Turn 1 again. So I feel like he’s driving a little bit desperate, and that was shown in his defence,” Bearman stated, underlining a pattern of reckless behavior that has raised eyebrows within the racing community.
The clash not only stirred controversy on the track but also ignited discussions about sportsmanship and safety in Formula 1. With younger drivers looking up to seasoned racers, the implications of such reckless maneuvers cannot be overstated. The criticism from Bearman serves as a potent reminder that the battle for positions must not come at the cost of safety, a principle that is paramount in the high-octane world of motorsport.
As the dust settles on the US GP, the spotlight is firmly on Tsunoda, whose aggressive tactics have now drawn the ire of not just his competitors but also fans of the sport. Will he adjust his approach, or will this reckless reputation follow him into future races? One thing is for certain: the tension in the paddock is palpable, and the next race could be just as explosive.
