Christian Horner says Yuki Tsunoda is “finding his feet” at Purple Bull after a quiet first race weekend for the crew in Japan.
Tsunoda certified in fifteenth behind the motive force he changed at Purple Bull, Liam Lawson, after a mistake on his final Q2 run.
He acquired forward of Lawson on the opening lap and undercut Alpine’s Pierre Gasly within the pit cease part, earlier than spending the remainder of his dwelling race caught behind Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
“He’s settled into the team. He’s given very good feedback. His P1 was very strong, P3 was fine,” mentioned Horner.
“In Q1, he was only a tenth away from Max. In Q2, he made a mistake when he was 15kph quicker than he’s ever been into Turn 1. He had a moment and then you’re chasing the rest of the lap.”
“Qualifying dictated his race, a race the place I am unable to bear in mind seeing any overtakes. Had he certified greater, he would have completed greater.
“Now he’s finding his feet in the team and we will see over the next few races that performance will step forward.”
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Sky Sports activities F1’s Naomi Schiff reveals you Yuki Tsunoda’s drivers’ room
Tsunoda left with ‘blended emotions’
Tsunoda was only one tenth behind Verstappen in first observe on Friday however didn’t proceed that type when it mattered most in qualifying, because the four-time world champion took a shock pole and transformed it into victory.
Purple Bull have overtly said they’ll prioritise the drivers’ title this 12 months, and Tsunoda has been informed they need him to be shut sufficient to assist Verstappen strategically.
“I am happy with my performance but in terms of the result it’s quite tough,” Tsunoda informed Sky Sports activities F1.
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Liam Lawson outqualified his Purple Bull substitute Yuki Tsunoda however each had been knocked out in Q2 of the Japanese Grand Prix
“I wanted to finish in the points. I was expecting more in my home Grand Prix so it is a mixed feeling.
“I’m studying and gaining extra confidence within the automobile. I felt managed in the direction of the top of the race. If I had one other qualifying, I am certain it could have been completely different.
“I am happy considering the amount of time I had in the car. Fortunately, I have Max as my team-mate, [so] I can learn from so I will keep up what I’m doing and I’m excited for Bahrain.”
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Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson is on the SkyPad to speak us by Yuki Tsunoda’s journey to Purple Bull
Spectacular Hadjar wouldn’t refuse Purple Bull call-up
Whereas Lawson acquired into Q2 for the primary time this season, having been knocked out in Q1 in his two Purple Bull outings, he solely completed seventeenth after his medium-soft tyre technique didn’t work.
“I need to keep building, get used to the car. We had good pace throughout the weekend, unfortunately not when we need to but there are always positives to take away,” he mentioned.
However Isack Hadjar had one other spectacular weekend after qualifying seventh and ending Sunday’s race in eighth behind Lewis Hamilton.
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Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar laughs with the Sky Sports activities F1 crew about his seatbelt points in Q1 after qualifying seventh for the Japanese Grand Prix
Hadjar overcame obvious seatbelt points that he expressed excessive misery about over radio within the early levels of qualifying to display his pace.
There have been questions on how the Frenchman would bounce again after he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and he answered them with factors in China and Japan.
Requested whether or not he sees himself as subsequent in line to affix Purple Bull sooner or later, he mentioned: “I’m happy where I am at the moment but would never refuse the call, that’s for sure! Honestly I’m just having fun at the moment.”
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Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar says that regardless of actually having fun with the place he’s at, he ‘would by no means refuse a name’ to Purple Bull
Sky Sports activities F1’s Bahrain GP Schedule
Thursday April 10
- 2pm: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday April 11
- 8.50am: F3 Observe
- 10am: F2 Observe
- 12pm: Bahrain GP Observe One (session begins at 12.30pm)*
- 1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
- 2.40pm: F2 Qualifying
- 3.35pm: Bahrain GP Observe Two (session begins at 4pm)
- 5.15pm: The F1 Present
Saturday April 12
- 11.10am: F3 Dash Race
- 1.15pm: Bahrain GP Observe Three (session begins at 1.30pm)
- 3.10pm: F2 Dash
- 4.10pm: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up
- 5pm: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING
- 7pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday April 13
- 10.50am: F3 Characteristic Race
- 12.20pm: F2 Characteristic Race
- 2.30pm: Bahrain GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
- 4pm: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
- 6pm: Bahrain GP response: Chequered Flag
- 7pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally stay on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion
Method 1 continues its triple-header in Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
