Racing Bulls’ strategy misstep costs Tsunoda points in Melbourne

Yuki Tsunoda's Frustrating Melbourne Race Ends Without Points

Yuki Tsunoda and the Racing Bulls team endured a frustrating race day in Melbourne, with the Japanese driver poised to earn significant points before a late strategic error during a rain-hit race left them empty-handed. Tsunoda, who began the race strongly running sixth, expressed disappointment after a critical decision left him outside the points.

Strong Start Marred by Strategic Misstep

Tsunoda’s weekend had shown promise, with impressive practice sessions leading to a fifth-place start, only trailing Charles Leclerc at the outset. He maintained his position for much of the race, confidently managing a train of competitors, until rain dramatically altered the conditions.

During the pivotal moment on Lap 43, as rain intensified, McLaren opted for immediate tire changes, capitalizing on intermediate options. Conversely, Racing Bulls chose to keep Tsunoda on track with slicks, anticipating the rain’s potential cessation. This misjudgment led to Tsunoda slipping down the order post-pit stop, ultimately finishing outside the points in P11.

Tsunoda Reflects on Missed Opportunity

Reflecting on the race, Tsunoda remarked, “In terms of how I felt in the car and how I drove, I felt we deserved the points... timing didn’t go for us, and it’s definitely a shame we didn’t score.”

Rival Teams Gain as Racing Bulls Struggle

Adding to Racing Bulls’ woes, three rival teams seized the opportunity to collect valuable points, a significant setback in a tightly contested season. Williams, Aston Martin, and Kick Sauber capitalized on the conditions, scoring 10, 8, and 6 points respectively.

Team Response and Teammate Challenges

The day also saw Tsunoda’s teammate, Isack Hadjar, visibly upset after a formation lap crash. Team Principal Laurent Mekies extended support to Hadjar, acknowledging the challenging conditions and promising to turn frustrations into future positive performances. Mekies also took responsibility for Tsunoda’s strategy miscalculation, stating, “The gamble to keep him out didn’t pay off but it’s part of the harshness of motorsport.”

Looking Ahead to Shanghai

Racing Bulls will aim to bounce back as they prepare for the next round in Shanghai, focusing on maximizing future performances and learning from their Melbourne mishaps.

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