Yuki Tsunoda wins 10th place in the Qatar GP and shows confidence in his performance at Red Bull By Janderson Luiz
5 min read
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Yuki Tsunoda finished in 10th place in the Grande Prêmio of Qatar of main season. Essa performance took place in a race marked by challenges such as the mandatory two stops in the pits and difficulties in overtaking due to the circuit layout.
The race, held under local night conditions, saw Max Verstappen, Tsunoda’s teammate, win for the seventh time this year and extend his lead in the drivers’ championship. Tsunoda highlighted the importance of the result for the team, especially with the constructors’ title at stake. The event brought together 20 cars at the start at 8pm local time, lasting 57 laps.
The Japanese expressed satisfaction with the entire weekend, including Saturday’s sprint where he finished in the top 5. The race at Qatar served as the penultimate stage before Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen could seal the second consecutive championship.
Race marked by tight strategies
Starting from 15th position imposed on Tsunoda the need for a gradual recovery over the 57 laps. The Losail circuit, with its high-speed corners, limited overtaking opportunities, especially after the safety car was brought in on lap 20.
Tsunoda opted for a strategy of two mandatory pit stops, changing medium tires to hard tires on the 18th lap and then to soft tires on the 38th. Essa choice allowed us to maintain the pace in the middle of the intermediate pack, avoiding bigger losses to direct rivals.
The safety car, triggered by debris on the track, froze the positions and complicated the maneuvers, but benefited the Japanese driver by grouping the group together. In the end, a flat tire for Isack Hadjar, from Racing Bulls, promoted Tsunoda to 10th place.
Statements by Tsunoda reveal optimism
After the checkered flag, Tsunoda commented on the balance between car and track. “The car felt good from the start, but the layout and pit stop rules made everything more complicated,” said the driver at a press conference.
He emphasized the closeness with Verstappen in the last few races. “I’ve been getting as close as possible to Max, and that shows what I’m capable of doing in the team.”
- Key point: Sétima points zone in the season, totaling 33 in total.
- Highlight in the sprint: Quinto place on Saturday, surpassing his teammate.
- Target in Abu Dhabi: Apoiar Verstappen in winning the drivers’ title.
The confident tone reflects an evolution since the beginning of 2025, when he took up the position at Red Bull.
Losail circuit challenges for the peloton
Losail imposed severe tests on the drivers with its long straights and DRS zones limited to one per lap. Apenas 12 overtaking events occurred in the race, according to official FIA data.
Tsunoda dealt with dense traffic in the opening laps, defending position against Alexander Albon’s Williams. The nighttime heat, around 28 degrees Celsius, accelerated tire wear, forcing precise stops.
Red Bull adjusted the RB21’s suspension for better traction in turns 10 and 12, which helped with stability. However, the Japanese regretted qualifying in Q1, attributing it to a setup error.
Compared to previous stages, such as Las Vegas, where he finished ninth, the result in Qatar consolidates his average of 1.4 points per race. The Qatari track, measuring 5.4 km, requires precision in 16 curves.
Team praise for Tsunoda’s performance
The boss of Red Bull, Christian Horner, praised the driver’s determination after the race. “Yuki showed promising pace by escaping the DRS train and recovering ground,” he said in an official statement.
Helmut Marko, team consultant, highlighted the consistency in double weekends as Qatar. “He handled the pressure well, especially in the sprint where he beat Max in qualifying.”
Tsunoda received immediate technical support in the pits, with mechanics changing front wings in less than 2.5 seconds per pit. Essa efficiency contributed to maintaining fourth place in the constructors’ championship, with 512 points.
Internally, the result reinforces debates about its permanence alongside Verstappen in 2026.
Rivalry with Liam Lawson in the crosshairs
Racing Bulls’s Liam Lawson finished ninth in Qatar, 1.7 seconds behind Tsunoda. The New Zealander overtook the Japanese in the sprint, but lost ground in the main race due to a slow pit stop.
Both are competing for seats on Red Bull for 2026, with Lawson having taken the seat in 2025 after replacing Sergio Pérez. Tsunoda, with more experience, has won all head-to-head qualifications in the last six 2024 GPs.
- Tsunoda’s advantages: 6-0 on poles against Lawson; 8 more points in the season.
- Lawson Challenges: Adaptação fast to RB21, but tight averages at race pace.
- Team perspective: Decisão based on testing of
The proximity of Qatar intensifies the dispute, with Marko monitoring it closely.
Red Bull’s strategy for the title in Abu Dhabi
With Verstappen needing a win and Norris outside the top 3 in Qatar, Red Bull focuses on maximizing points in the final. Tsunoda plans a supporting role, similar to that of Singapura.
The team tested aerodynamic configurations from Losail to Yas Marina, prioritizing speed in the final straights. Horner confirmed that Tsunoda will have the freedom to score, but with team orders if necessary.
The Japanese, 14th in the championship with 33 points, aims to surpass Lawson in the internal table. The race in Abu Dhabi, from December 8th to 10th, starts at 5pm local time, with the expectation of sun and 30 degrees.
Tsunoda concluded: “In Abu Dhabi, I will do my best to help the team win the title.” Essa posture aligns with the goal of 600 points in the season.
Recovery of positions defines the weekend
The race required patience from Tsunoda, who gained five positions in the first 10 laps with aggressive corner exits. The safety car on the 25th lap allowed regrouping, but stopped progress.
In the final stint, on new soft tires, he pushed Kevin Magnussen from Haas, but was 0.8 seconds behind. The Hadjar incident on the 52nd lap sealed 10th place.
Compared to 2024, when he finished 13th in Qatar for RB, the jump to Red Bull raised his potential. The FIA recorded 18 incidents in the race, including an investigation for Tsunoda leaving the track on lap 40, without punishment.
The result increases your confidence for the final stretch, with a focus on consistency.