Yuki Tsunoda down on Red Bull spec again in Monaco after Imola F1 crash
Yuki Tsunoda has admitted his huge Imola F1 qualifying crash will have lingering effects, as he has to revert to a previous floor design at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
Tsunoda suffered an enormous accident last Saturday in Q1 as he overstepped the limit of the Red Bull in the fast Tamburello chicane, sending him into the barriers. The Japanese driver thankfully climbed unhurt, but huge damage to the car meant the team had to build up a spare chassis with a new power unit and floor.
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Speaking ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix Tsunoda has confirmed his crash means he will go back to being behind on specification of the Red Bull RB21 compared to team-mate Max Verstappen. Motorsport.com has learned that Tsunoda will be reverting to Red Bull's older, pre-Miami floor. Verstappen ran the new floor in Miami before Tsunoda received it as well in Imola, but he then damaged it beyond repair in qualifying. It is understood to be the only difference with Verstappen's car this weekend.
"In terms of package, to be honest I never ran the full new package yet, even Imola was a little bit different," Tsunoda said. "I don't think we're going to have a full one [in Monaco], I just made a step back anyway, which is my fault."
Tsunoda said his Imola crash, which recovered from with a strong drive from a pitlane start to a point in 10th, showed he still needs to build up knowledge of how this year's Red Bull reacts to set-up changes, having jumped in at the Japanese Grand Prix without testing.
"Imola qualifying, it wouldn't happen like that if I understand the car, to be honest," he explained. "In the VCARB, I don't think I've had that kind of crash by myself since 2022. I was pushing too much, so it's just lacking understanding of how the car is going to behave with each set-up.
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
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"The set-up I tried was completely new. To be honest, I guess the Red Bull changes more than I expected. The VCARB car, even if we change it, I don't think it would have that much of a difference. So, I just have to take it easy when I change the set-up and try something new.
"It's taking slightly more than expected. But as a group we have a good relationship between me and Woody [race engineer Richard Wood] and Cooke [performance engineer Richard Cooke] as well. From our side of the garage, we just keep learning every race."
The 25-year-old's job won't be any easier around the tight streets of Monaco, which leaves little room for error, but Tsunoda vows he will build up the pace gradually.
"In terms of track, I quite like it, and I had good memories last two years," he said. "Apparently, the Red Bull car is a very bumpy car in Monaco and it's not an easy car to drive, that's what Max said.
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"So, I just need to build the confidence and hopefully I can make a good qualifying. You can't just follow the same approach as Imola or other tracks where you have a bit of run-off, so I'm just going to build up the pace slowly."
As is the case with many teams, Red Bull has brought circuit-specific upgrades to cope with Monaco's unique layout. New parts include a higher-downforce rear wing, revised brake ducts for cooling purposes and a tweaked front suspension to allow for greater steering lock to cope with the tight hairpin.
Photos from Monaco GP - Practice
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
A general view of the harbour and pit building
A general view of the harbour and pit building
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
A general view of the buildings alongside the circuit
A general view of the buildings alongside the circuit
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine
Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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A general view of the Nouvelle Chicane
A general view of the Nouvelle Chicane
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Alpine pitstop practice
Alpine pitstop practice
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer of Haas
Laura Mueller, Race Engineer of Haas
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Fans fill the grandstands
Fans fill the grandstands
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
A marshal looks down the pit lane
A marshal looks down the pit lane
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
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Max Verstappen warns Imola F1 heroics hard to repeat for Red Bull in Monaco GP
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