Yuki Tsunoda will start the Miami GP Sprint from the pit lane after Red Bull made last-minute suspension set-up changes to his RB21. The Japanese driver qualified 18th for the 19-lap Sprint and attributed his disappointing session to poor team communication and a disrupted lap in Sprint qualifying (SQ1).
After reaching Q3 in his previous two races with Red Bull, Tsunoda had hoped for a top-ten finish, especially as only the top eight drivers score points in Sprint qualifying. However, his run was compromised early when a car unexpectedly exited the pits, forcing him to abort his flying lap. Additionally, being sent out late and behind his teammate Max Verstappen compounded his difficulties, preventing Tsunoda from completing a proper qualifying lap.
Discussing the incident, Tsunoda explained to the media, including PlanetF1.com,
Some intelligent car just came out from [the] pit and [I had to] abort my lap. A lot of cars cost my lap quite a lot. First lap… yeah, to be honest that’s it. In the last corner I had quite a lock-up, but to be honest the lap was pretty gone already from Turn 1 because of the car at pit exit. Just [wasn’t] able to do a proper lap at all, so that’s it.
When asked if he was aware of how close he was to the cut-off time, Tsunoda responded,
Yeah, I was but I just… what do you want me to do, because there’s a car in front. Communication is pretty poor as well and, just in general, I didn’t [do] a proper qualifying.
Following Tsunoda’s 18th-place finish, Red Bull chose to make set-up adjustments to his car’s suspension, which meant he would be required to start the Sprint from the pit lane rather than from his qualifying position on the grid.
The decision came as a disappointment given Tsunoda’s recent upward trend and the impact that starting from the pit lane can have in a short 19-lap sprint race. The starting order for the Miami GP Sprint saw Kimi Antonelli leading, followed closely by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Verstappen locked in fourth, while other notable drivers such as George Russell and Charles Leclerc completed the top six and seven respectively.
This setback raises questions about Red Bull’s internal communication during qualifying and the challenges facing Tsunoda as he aims to prove himself in his second year with the team. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Team Principal, later reflected on Tsunoda’s performance, noting key differences observed when compared to Verstappen, which highlight areas for development.
The implications of starting from the pit lane are significant. Tsunoda will face the challenge of overtaking multiple rivals in a highly compressed sprint format where every lap is crucial. This experience could ultimately serve as a learning opportunity despite the difficult circumstances, testing his racecraft and composure under pressure.
Looking ahead, the Miami GP Sprint will provide Tsunoda with a chance to recover positions and demonstrate resilience. While the pit lane start is a setback, it also emphasizes the importance of clear communication and strategic decisions during race weekends. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how Yuki Tsunoda responds in the coming race as he continues to develop his skills at Red Bull.
