Tsunoda hails "incredible" Verstappen after "extreme" Red Bull decision

Yuki Tsunoda has conceded an "extreme" set-up direction at the Japanese Grand Prix "didn't work" but insisted Max Verstappen's own decisions help.

The Japanese driver is the latest to go up against Verstappen in a Red Bull having been promoted in place of Liam Lawson after just two races this season.

This hasn't stopped Tsunoda trying to emulate Verstappen's set-up style in what is a tricky RB21 to drive and while he failed to score points in his debut with the Milton Keynes-based outfit, he is happy he is "capable" of using such set-ups.

“In terms of handling the car, it went okay for me," Tsunoda told media including GPBlog ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. 

"It's too early to say whether I'm comfortable driving it or not. But I think I am capable of dealing with the balance that most drivers have struggled with so far.

“We went more for Max's set-up than mine, which felt very good to me. Surprisingly, I was able to drive it quite well, so I'm happy with it so far. The direction we tried in the simulator was a bit different from in China, focusing on calming the rear. The set-up we eventually chose was good."

What Max does is "incredible"

While Tsunoda ultimately struggled to cope with the set-up choice - failing to reach Q3 or score points - he was full of praise for Verstappen, who used a similar style to great effect in winning the race.

“Max felt positive in the simulator, so in the end, Max also went for the direction I liked at Suzuka. I went for a more extreme side in that direction, and it just didn't work," explained Tsunoda.

"It's not like the set-up Max used in China. That was more specific because there had to be more limitation on the front. But Max's set-up helps, and I definitely feel that set-up in the simulator. It's incredible how he can handle such a set-up.”