Assessing Tsunoda's first day in the Red Bull cockpit at F1's Japanese GP
Motorsport photo
After the expectation comes the reality. Yuki Tsunoda's first day actually driving Red Bull's diva-ish RB21 Formula 1 machine, as opposed to piloting an ersatz version of it in a simulator, answered some questions while leaving others hanging.
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Very few of those matters outstanding were Tsunoda's fault, though, owing to the second practice session being punctuated by four red-flag periods. These not only cost him track time in a car whose performance peaks are notoriously difficult to access, they prevented him from performing a qualifying simulation on soft tyres.
As such, while a glance at the FP2 times suggests calamity – team-mate Max Verstappen posted the eighth fastest lap while Tsunoda was 18th, nearly two seconds slower – the reality is more nuanced.
In FP1 they had been much closer in terms of overall lap time: fifth and sixth with Tsunoda just 0.107s off Verstappen.
Veritably it was a day for those who regard themselves as F1's bellwethers to perform what's known in the trade as a 'reverse ferret'. Having proclaimed Tsunoda the new messiah after FP1, they pivoted to derision – the new pariah? – as FP2 came to a close.
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The real picture was always going to be challenging to decode, since part of the Suzuka track has been resurfaced and will therefore evolve differently over the course of the weekend, and Tsunoda was going to have to feel out those areas where the real RB21's behaviour differs from the one he's driven in the simulator. 'Feel' being the operative word here since even the most sophisticated simulator can only transmit some seat-of-the-pants sensation because it can't recreate g-loadings other than those caused by major changes of direction.
Not only that, if Red Bull could recreate in the simulator the RB21's rear-end twitchiness as the driver leans on the front axle, it would be well along the road to understanding how to fix that trait in the real car.
Also, Red Bull had introduced three minor aerodynamic changes with a view to cleaning up airflow around the rear end: a reprofiled engine cover and cooling exit, an enlarged rear brake duct outlet, and a new rear wishbone shroud. Teams now have to document such changes and Red Bull's spiel claimed the engine cover and brake duct changes were principally for reliability reasons, but such amendments can and do have performance implications.
Disrupted FP2 gave Tsunoda little time in the Red Bull
Disrupted FP2 gave Tsunoda little time in the Red Bull
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
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At the end of FP1 Tsunoda came on the radio to describe the car as 'interesting'. He didn't make the same observation as Verstappen, which was that he felt like his RB21 was 'flexing' through sector two, the area that starts at the Degner curves and runs to midway along the back straight.
Of course, the car may not actually have been flexing, but producing sensations analogous to that – the second Degner, the Hairpin and the Spoon are areas where the RB21's tendency to lurch from understeer to oversteer will manifest themselves. Verstappen may just have been trying to express the feeling as viscerally as possible.
Tsunoda, as the new boy, won't have been keen to denigrate the car on his first day. And, in any case, as Liam Lawson found to his cost, it is what it is. Still, there was a slightly hangdog quality to Tsunoda's demeanour when F1 TV caught up with him after FP2.
'FP1 was better than expected – FP2, yeah, I didn't set a lap time,' he said. 'I think there's lots of work to do, we slightly… struggled, something to look through in the data from FP2 more, but overall it's OK.
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'I just have to build up confidence more. It [the RB21] is a bit different to the simulator – what I felt. To be honest, a little more than I was expecting in terms of car feeling.
'But it's always going to be a bit different in the real car. It [the car's tendency towards snap oversteer] was just a little more exaggerated in the real car, feeling a bit more tricky.'
Tsunoda admitted to finding a larger-than-expected difference between sim and reality
Tsunoda admitted to finding a larger-than-expected difference between sim and reality
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
The four red flags in FP2 were disruptive to everyone but the stoppage prompted by Fernando Alonso's off-track excursion was the one that cost Tsunoda, who had only just gone out on soft tyres to attempt a performance run. Following that, the team adjusted its run plan and sent him out on a race simulation.
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While that will have been useful in terms of learning how the car balance changes over the race, missing the push-laps could prove to be damaging. Suzuka, for all that fans and drivers venerate its brilliance, is a tough track on which to overtake.
Qualifying is (almost) everything here given the challenge of passing on track, which leaves FP3 as Tsunoda's last opportunity to feel his way towards the RB21's limits before qualifying.
At the moment his loudest fan is former Racing Bulls boss Franz Tost, a guest pundit this weekend on the Austrian TV channel ORF.
'Yuki has incredible natural speed,' thundered Tost. 'I've been saying that for years. Now, he just needs to put it all together properly.'
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If he doesn't, will Tost be the next pundit to pivot?
Photos from Japanese GP - Practice
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
General view
General view
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine reserve driver
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine reserve driver
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
General view
General view
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Lily Zneimer, girlfriend of Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lily Zneimer, girlfriend of Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Jack Doohan, Alpine
Jack Doohan, Alpine
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Alex Albon, Williams with his girlfriend, Lily Muni He
Alex Albon, Williams with his girlfriend, Lily Muni He
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
General view
General view
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Jean Alesi in the Paddock
Jean Alesi in the Paddock
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Ryo Hirakawa walks in the paddock with his family
Ryo Hirakawa walks in the paddock with his family
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Car of Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Car of Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Alex Albon, Williams
Alex Albon, Williams
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Clive Rose / Motorsport Images
Clive Rose / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Members of team Ferrari
Members of team Ferrari
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing crash
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing crash
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing crash
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing crash
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
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