Yuki Tsunoda after F1 Spain practice: "I don't have any idea why I am slow"
Yuki Tsunoda admitted to befuddlement over his lack of pace after Formula 1's opening practice sessions at the Spanish Grand Prix - revealing he "doesn't have any idea why I'm slow".
The Red Bull driver believed that, although his two Friday sessions were "smooth" and without any obvious issues, the ultimate pace was too slow and he was at a loss to explain why.
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Tsunoda was heard to critique the RB21 via team radio, noting that he was suffering from sliding at both axles, and ended up six tenths slower than team-mate Max Verstappen amid the soft-tyre qualifying simulations.
Like Verstappen, he did long runs on both medium and soft tyres - but was visibly off the four-time champion's pace across the laps. GPS data suggests a significant shortfall in carrying speed through Turn 9 and Turn 10 versus Verstappen.
"It was tricky," was Tsunoda's view of the sessions. "To be honest, in terms of the first day compared to any other grand prix, it felt pretty smooth.
"I think I made progress from FP1, FP2. But to be honest, I just don't have any idea why I am slow. The lap was pretty good as well, considering FP2 and obviously it's not like fully 100%.
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"But obviously it's not the gap that I'm expecting. So it's hard to even tell what kind of exact limitation I have in terms of balance, it's OK. We have to see what we can improve, but currently [I'm] struggling.
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
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Red Bull Content Pool
"Hopefully we can find something, otherwise, it's really tough. It's not like I had a massive mistake and I'm behind and being compared to competitors; if I had a mistake and without results, I'm happy, actually, but it's not like that.
"It will be a longer night than usual, probably, but obviously there's a curfew and everything. I'll try my best to find a solution. Currently, it's not very clear."
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From Verstappen's point of view, the Dutchman enjoyed an "OK" Friday and noted that there was a tentative feeling of greater positivity versus some of Red Bull's FP1-FP2 run-ins to the weekend so far this year.
He noted that he still wanted more out of the car to feel truly comfortable, as he was at Imola, but was ultimately pleased not to feel "out of it" after the opening sessions.
"The track is always very enjoyable to drive. It's quite hot out there as well, especially for the tyres. But I think it was an OK Friday," Verstappen explained.
"We've had worse Fridays, but I felt a bit happier with the car. We're still not, I think, where we want to be, but it was definitely a bit more positive.
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"Every track is a bit different, but the feeling, I still want a better feeling from the car. I've also had Fridays where we were completely out of it. So, it's a bit more, I would say, in the middle."
Photos from Spanish GP - Practice
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Red Bull Content Pool
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso Fan, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso Fan, Aston Martin Racing
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Laurent Mekies, Alpine
Laurent Mekies, Alpine
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Red Bull Content Pool
Laurent Mekies, Alpine
Laurent Mekies, Alpine
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Red Bull Content Pool
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
A sea of fans gathered at the stage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain
A sea of fans gathered at the stage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Fan
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Fan
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
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Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
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Red Bull Content Pool
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Red Bull Content Pool
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin
Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
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Red Bull Content Pool
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Peter Fox / 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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Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Red Bull Content Pool
Ferrari SF-25 front wing detail
Ferrari SF-25 front wing detail
Filip Cleeren
Filip Cleeren
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Haas Team
Haas Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
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Red Bull Content Pool
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Peter Fox / Getty Images
Peter Fox / Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
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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
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Red Bull Content Pool
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
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Peter Fox / Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
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Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
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"Nothing to say on this, next question!" – Flavio Briatore's weird F1 press conference
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