Yuki Tsunoda has opened up on the difficulties in finding the right set-up for the Red Bull RB21.
After stepping into the team for the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda has had a minimal amount of time in the car. Adding to this, the practice sessions in Suzuka saw multiple disruptions due to Jack Doohan’s crash, Fernando Alonso beaching his AMR25, and countless grass fires causing red flags.
While speaking to F1.com ahead of Bahrain, the Japanese driver explained that he need to take a different set-up approach compared to what he was used to in Racing Bulls.
“A lot of learning I did, but most of the learning I had is too early stages to conclude. I’ve just done four, five sessions, almost four sessions because of lots of red flags,” he said.
“I just need to do more laps, but the main learning in terms of car the set-up, I would say maybe I have to take a little bit of a different approach [from] how I used to take in the Racing Bulls – the set-up I used to like, the car balance.
“I think the car is able to achieve the same balance that I used to have at Racing Bulls, but it not always helps the performance. I just have to dig in further, I just don’t know what set-up will make the car faster.
“It feels like a science room with lots of chemicals where sometimes it goes good, sometimes it goes bad. I think it’s just natural, because jumping into a completely new car [there is] always this up and down.”
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Photo by: Jayce Illman – Getty Images
Discussing his goals for this weekend in Bahrain, the 24-year-old added:
“What I want to achieve this weekend is Q3 and points. I think as much as I want to say a podium or whatever, we know that the car is not easy to operate in a high performance window.
“I have to still learn about the car, so if I get points or [can] be closer to Max to be able to help him in the race, and go into Q3, that would be a good target.”
Tsunoda joined Red Bull after a four-year stint with its sister team, Racing Bulls. The team had opted for rookie driver Liam Lawson to drive alongside Max Verstappen in 2025. However, it only took the team two race weekends to decide to demote the New Zealander to Racing Bulls.
