David Croft questions how F1 broadcast team treated ‘sensational’ Yuki Tsunoda at Australian Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda was arguably the star of qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix. He qualified fifth in one of the best Saturday showings of his career.

Tsunoda couldn’t match his third place at a sodden Sao Paulo last November, but P5 is his highest-ever grid slot in Australia. He’s joined on the third row by the equally impressive Alex Albon at Williams.

The Japanese driver notably out-paced the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. He was just over a tenth behind Mercedes driver George Russell.

Tsunoda appears to have responded well to Red Bull’s latest snub. Liam Lawson got the seat next to Max Verstappen despite only having 11 races of experience.

Sergio Perez fans mocked Lawson after he went out in Q1 at Albert Park.

David Croft doesn’t understand why F1 broadcasters overlooked Yuki Tsunoda lap at Australian Grand Prix

Sky Sports commentator David Croft called Tsunoda’s lap ‘sensational’, but he was baffled that F1’s broadcast team didn’t show him until he crossed the line at the end of Q3. It was clear that he was on for a big lap from the times he posted in sectors one and two.

“That’s sensational from Yuki Tsunoda!” Croft said. “I don’t know why we weren’t watching that.

“His timing for the first and second sector put him right on the cusp of that top-five appearance. That is Yuki Tsunoda’s best-ever qualifying in Albert Park.”

Tsunoda perhaps slipped under the radar amid the focus on the battle for pole. Alpine and Williams had been expected to contest the battle for ‘best of the rest’ behind the top four, but Racing Bulls were the gatecrashers.

Debutant Isack Hadjar was 11th, and while the Frenchman will naturally be disappointed not to reach Q3, he was the highest-ranking rookie. That too confirms the pace of the car.

Martin Brundle suspects Yuki Tsunoda is saying one thing ‘beneath his crash helmet’

Red Bull won’t be making any snap judgements after one meaningful session. Coming into the weekend, Lawson was the only one who hadn’t driven Albert Park, which prompted him to play down expectations.

What’s more, his weekend was disrupted by a car issue in the final practice session. And no matter what Tsunoda does this season, it appears unlikely he’ll earn a promotion.

Crucially, though, the 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season. He needs to show rival midfield teams that he’s too good to ignore for 2025.

Speaking during the session, Croft’s Sky colleague Martin Brundle remarked that Tsunoda may actually be ‘better off’ after losing out on a Red Bull seat.

He said: “Tsunoda doing a fine job, saying beneath his crash helmet now ‘I should be in the Red Bull’. Maybe he’s better off where he is!”