Red Bull want second opinion to Verstappen's? 'Detective' Tsunoda's test goal

14:43, 21 Apr

byNorberto Mujica

Yuki Tsunoda will be undergoing a TPC testing programme at Silverstone in the off week before the Miami Grand Prix. The Japanese driver now reveals one of his targets, which could help Red Bull Racing find its way back to the top.

The origin of Red Bull Racing's sporting woes are very hard to trace back to its point of origin. Whilst Adrian Newey pointed to the end of the Austrian team's dominant 2023 campaign, Red Bull's team principal signalled the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix as the starting point, which coincidentally also caught the start of of Sergio Perez's derailment following his Q1 crash at the Monaco Grand Prix, the week before.

Why the disagreement? Max Verstappen's unique talent. Whereas other drivers may often be hampered by their car's difficulty, the Dutchman is known for extracting the most potential out of his machinery, regardless of their nervousness or unpredictable behaviour.

Where others falter, Verstappen adapts and finds a way to get a podium, an unexpected pole, or an underdog win as he has proven time and again since Red Bull Racing's car fell off the right development path, even managing to hold his lead last year ahead of the almighty McLaren cars to clinch his 4th world title on the trot.

Tsunoda reveals TPC test target

During the off week Verstappen's new teammate, Yuki Tsunoda will do a TPC test in Silverstone aboard Red Bull's last Constructors' championship winning car, the RB19.

Speaking after the race in Jeddah to various media, including GPblog, the Japanese driver was asked regarding the test and for him and his familiarisation with the RB21, the fact that it's held at Silverstone is highly positive. "Especially on tracks similar to the ones we’re going to drive in the coming races, so yeah, I'm excited for that."

Recently Tsunoda's feedback skills have been lauded by Racing Bulls team principal, Laurent Mekkies, and also by Red Bull's chief advisor, Helmut Marko, and it could be that the Austrians are now looking for a second opinion to Verstappen's to unearth where the team went wrong with the development of their cars.

"Also, if I can give some feedback from the RB19, what the key major factor was that made that car so successful, and apparently something we don't have in the RB21, hopefully I can find it out," concluded Tsunoda.