IndyCar star James Hinchcliffe criticized Red Bull’s strategy during Yuki Tsunoda‘s qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix. Tsunoda, who replaced Liam Lawson after the Chinese GP, faced disappointment at his home race when he was knocked out in Q2. This marked his first qualifying session with the team.
Yuki Tsunoda began Q2 on used Soft tires, achieving a lap time of 1:28.154, placing him in P14. This was significantly slower compared to Lando Norris, who led the session, and nearly 6.5-tenths off his teammate Max Verstappen, in P3. An unexpected red flag was issued when part of the Suzuka circuit caught fire, interrupting the session with just over eight minutes left.
Upon resumption, Tsunoda switched to fresh Softs, yet he produced the slowest lap among the 15 drivers, trailing Verstappen by five-tenths of a second. Hinchcliffe, also an F1TV analyst, highlighted Red Bull’s missed opportunity in not using fresh Softs on Tsunoda’s RB21 during his initial attempt in Q2.
Despite Tsunoda’s efforts, he was out-qualified by former VCARB teammate Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, the driver he replaced at Red Bull. Verstappen, displaying dominant form, secured pole position in Q3 with a superb lap, followed by the two McLarens.
The decision to replace rookie Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda after only two subpar performances in 2025 drew significant criticism, with IndyCar driver Conor Daly labeling it ‘wild and sad’. However, three prior occupants of the second Red Bull seat have similarly struggled to match Verstappen’s prowess. This situation underscores the difficulty of adapting to Red Bull’s car, a challenge only Verstappen appears to have mastered. In stark contrast, junior team VCARB’s car is reported to offer superior driveability this season.
IndyCar stars Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe pondered potential scenarios where Lawson, driving a VCARB, might out-qualify Yuki Tsunoda. This discussion unfolded during the ‘Off Track with Hinch and Rossi’ podcast.
Significantly, Hinchcliffe, also an IndyCar analyst for FOX, is scheduled to make an appearance at the Long Beach GP from April 11 to 13.
Looking ahead, Yuki Tsunoda’s qualifying setback serves as a critical juncture. It underscores the complexities of Formula 1’s competitive landscape, inviting further scrutiny into strategic decisions and their implications. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how Tsunoda will navigate these challenges and what future dynamics will unfold within Red Bull Racing.
