Yuki Tsunoda faced a disappointing outcome in Qualifying for the 2025 F1 Austrian GP, as he was knocked out in Q1 following an unexpected shift in car balance. Despite showing solid form in the earlier practice sessions—placing seventh in FP2 and ninth in FP3—the Japanese driver ended up 18th on the timesheets when it mattered most.
The result came as a surprise given the competitiveness he had displayed throughout the weekend. Crucially, Tsunoda lapped only two-tenths of a second slower than Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen, who advanced comfortably in seventh. However, with margins in qualifying tighter than ever, that small deficit proved costly.
Sudden loss of balance puzzles Tsunoda
Tsunoda later revealed that the RB car’s behaviour changed dramatically between runs, with the balance deteriorating at the worst possible moment. His first push lap had felt competitive, but the second—when grip and temperature typically peak—left him unable to deliver.
“I do not know, I will have to check but the balance was completely off on the last lap,” Tsunoda explained. “I felt quite good on the first push but the second push was somehow completely off.”
He dismissed the possibility of procedural error, emphasising that his tyre warm-up and preparation followed the same routine as in previous sessions.
“I do not think I have done anything wrong with the warm up or anything. To be honest, the balance was completely different so it is hard to explain that.”
Another difficult session for Red Bull
Tsunoda’s struggles echoed those of Verstappen, who also reported unexpected instability in his car during qualifying. While Verstappen progressed to Q3, a balance shift that compromised his final runs visibly unsettled him.
Red Bull now faces a pressing technical investigation into what caused such inconsistency across both cars. For Tsunoda, the issue had more severe consequences, cutting short what could have been a top-ten performance.
“Even if the pace is good, ending up like this is so frustrating,” he said. “The balance in the end just meant I could not put together a time. I have to talk with the engineers.”
A challenging recovery awaits
This Q1 exit marks Tsunoda’s third of the 2025 F1 season, interrupting a recent streak of solid Qualifying results. With overtaking at the Red Bull Ring not straightforward and the field tightly packed, Sunday’s 2025 F1 Austrian GP will demand both strategic boldness and tyre management if Tsunoda is to salvage points from the back of the grid.
Nevertheless, with degradation levels expected to be high and a variety of pit strategies likely in play, opportunities may arise if Red Bull can resolve the balance issues overnight. For now, Tsunoda must regroup and rely on both clarity from the garage and composure on race day to mount a meaningful recovery.
