Rising Formula 1 star Yuki Tsunoda has unleashed a fiery statement, declaring the comparisons to his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen as “unfair” until he gets his hands on the same high-performing machinery. Tsunoda, who stepped in for Liam Lawson at the Suzuka race, is determined to focus on his personal growth rather than being fixated on matching the impressive Verstappen.
Struggling to find his footing in the intense world of F1, Tsunoda has only managed to secure a mere 10 points in 11 races, facing a challenging streak of six races without a top-10 finish. Despite his setbacks, a glimmer of hope emerged at Spa-Francorchamps when he clinched a commendable seventh-place qualification.
However, Tsunoda’s moment of glory was tainted by the revelation that his car was not equipped with the same upgrades as Verstappen’s, with crucial components like Red Bull’s latest front wing missing from his RB21. This glaring discrepancy in machinery highlights the uphill battle Tsunoda faces in his quest for equality within the team.
In a candid moment with the media, Tsunoda showered praise on Verstappen for his consistent stellar performances but stressed the vast difference in experience and equipment between them. The Japanese driver emphasized the need for an identical car before any direct comparisons can be drawn.
The technical woes of the RB21 have added an extra layer of complexity to Tsunoda’s struggles, with even Verstappen voicing his frustrations over the car’s handling issues. Red Bull’s development focus on meeting Verstappen’s requirements has left his teammates grappling to keep pace, with drivers like Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and now Tsunoda often playing second fiddle.
Despite the mounting challenges, Tsunoda remains optimistic, drawing motivation from the progress made with his engineering team. Following a modest 13th-place finish at Spa, he is determined to break his dry spell and secure his first points of the season at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix.
As the young driver continues to navigate the turbulent waters of F1, all eyes are on Tsunoda to see if he can overcome the odds stacked against him and carve out his own path to success in the high-octane world of Formula 1.
