The pressure is on for Yuki Tsunoda, who enters his second race weekend with Red Bull. After a Japanese GP weekend with signs of promise, he must deliver another step forward and – crucially – deliver points in Bahrain.
In terms of raw performance, Tsunoda has already shown clear improvement relative to his predecessor – Liam Lawson.
Despite this, the 24-year-old is still acclimatising to the RB21 – which represents a very different challenge to his VCARB.
Tsunoda outlines unique features of RB21
Prior to stepping into Red Bull, Tsunoda was conscious of the steep learning curve he would have to navigate.
Without any pre-season testing to accumulate mileage in the RB21, he essentially entered last weekend blind – aside from some sessions in the simulator.
Although round three of the season is hardly the environment to acclimatise to a new team, Tsunoda believes he is making progress with optimising the car.
With just one attempt on fresh tyres in Q2, the 24-year-old made a small mistake that prevented him from qualifying in the top 10, which essentially ended his chances of points.
Still, team principal Christian Horner observed that the pace is there – it is simply a question of extracting it.
At a circuit where he is very familiar, Tsunoda has explained the fine-tuning necessary to perform at Red Bull.
“A lot of learning I did, but most of the learning I had – it’s too early stages to conclude.
“I’ve just done four, five sessions – almost four sessions because of the red flags. I just need to do laps and laps.
“The main learning I would say, in terms of car, is the set-up.
“Maybe I have to take a little bit different approach [compared] to how I used to take in the VCARB.
“In terms of the set-up I used to like, how the car balance looks.
“I think the car is able to achieve the same balance I used to have at VCARB – but just, it doesn’t always help performance.
“So I just have to dig in further, don’t know yet what set-up will make the car faster.”
Red Bull optimistic about development
After two frustrating rounds to start the season, Red Bull unlocked something with the RB21 in Suzuka.
Of course, McLaren were still the fastest car – with Verstappen’s brilliance on Saturday ultimately making the difference between victory and second place.
Still, the delta between Red Bull and the papaya team was significantly smaller than in Australia or China.
Although the characteristics of Suzuka likely played a role, senior personnel have noted Max Verstappen’s extensive set-up changes after Friday Practice.
Considering the RB21’s pace in FP1 and FP2, the Milton Keynes team clearly found something to make the car more drivable.
Yuki Tsunoda will hope this can be sustained over the coming rounds, as he works to acclimatise himself.
A strong points finish will not only help Red Bull in the constructors, but should also afford him some breathing space and alleviate the pressure on his side of the garage.
