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This is where Tsunoda thinks he can learn the most from Verstappen

Tsunoda: 'Wouldn't say I have a big difference to Verstappen in qualifying'

5 October 2023 at 15:48
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

As AlphaTauri's driver, Yuki Tsunoda is not Max Verstappen's direct teammate, but the two drivers do work within a similar environment. Tsunoda is impressed by the Red Bull Racing driver but finds it difficult to say in what ways he drives differently. The Japanese driver thinks he can learn from Verstappen's consistency.

Working with Max

Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, Tsunoda was asked in front of GPblog about working with Verstappen within the Red Bull programme. After all, are there things he can learn from the reigning World Champion?

"To be honest I would like to drive in the same car because I don't know," Tsunoda interjected at the Losail International Circuit. "It's easy to say he's good, but at the same time we never drove together, and obviously the car is different so it's hard to say about the difference in driving.

Verstappen very consistent

Of the 16 Grands Prix this year, 13 were won by Verstappen. The 26-year-old Dutchman even won 10 races in a row, now holding the record for most consecutive wins alone. Tsunoda is impressed by the level Verstappen manages to put on the mat week after week.

"I think the most impressive thing for me is the consistency, how he adapts to each condition like for example in the Netherlands, the conditions changed a lot sometimes half wet, fully wet and he's always on the limit. I think he's always able to drive really fast and control the cars," Tsunoda elaborated.

He continued: "I think those things are different to me and where I have to work on to reach Red Bull but as driving and performance in dry conditions and qualifying I wouldn't say that we have a big difference for now. But to be honest, I don't know. The consistency is definitely better."

Verstappen made his debut in Formula 1 in 2015, so he has been around for quite a few years. Verstappen has started 179 races. Tsunoda did so 57 times.