Yuki Tsunoda Adopts Max Verstappen’s Setup in Red Bull Debut: A Fascinating Account

In his inaugural Formula 1 weekend with Red Bull at the Suzuka Circuit, Japanese racer Yuki Tsunoda found himself gravitating towards the setup of four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Tsunoda was astounded by Verstappen’s ability to work seamlessly with the car setup, deeming it “incredible.

Differences Between On-Track and Simulator Performance

After his first weekend with the RB21, Tsunoda acknowledged clear differences between the car on track and in the simulator. However, he felt at home with the team before missing the tyre warm-up window in Q2, which resulted in a 15th place qualifying position (14th on race day due to Carlos Sainz’s penalty).

Due to limited experience and interrupted practice sessions, Tsunoda adjusted his setup to align more with Verstappen’s preferences. He was generally pleased with the switch, stating that he could handle the car balance that most drivers found challenging so far.

The Switch to Max Verstappen’s Setup

Tsunoda disclosed that he experimented with Verstappen’s full setup in the simulator and was impressed by the four-time champion’s ability to manage it. However, he clarified that the team knew this wasn’t the ideal way to develop the car.

Tsunoda shared that they tried a different direction in the simulator, focusing on calming down the rear, and concluded with a setup that he felt was good. Interestingly, Max also started with this direction at Suzuka, which Tsunoda found appealing.

Despite the positive response in the simulator, Tsunoda opted for a more extreme version of this direction, but it didn’t yield the desired results. It wasn’t the same setup that Verstappen used in China; China’s track characteristics required a different approach due to front-end limitations.

Coaching Differences Between Red Bull and His Former Team

Tsunoda also highlighted differences in coaching methods between Red Bull and his previous team, Racing Bulls. He noted that Red Bull is more inclined to let the driver take charge during tyre preparation for a qualifying lap, whereas his former team was more proactive in providing guidance.

Tsunoda considered this approach “different,” but refrained from declaring one superior over the other. He acknowledged that Max has been accustomed to this approach for nine years, making it second nature for him. Tsunoda plans to adapt and is open to finding the best approach for both himself and the team.