Tsunoda on Verstappen help: 'He wouldn't tell the truth'

07:30, 03 Apr

Updated: 07:32, 03 Apr

byEwan Gale

Yuki Tsunoda has insisted he will try and discover Red Bull's weaknesses for himself, suggesting that Max Verstappen wouldn't tell the truth about the RB21.

The Japanese driver makes his debut for the Milton Keynes-based outfit at his home grand prix at Suzuka, one of Formula 1's classic circuits, after being promoted to the seat following Liam Lawson's struggles in the first two races of the season.

It means Tsunoda is the sixth driver to go up against Verstappen as a teammate and he will be hoping he fares better than those who have gone before him, having already been given to the end of the season by motorsport advisor Helmut Marko.

Whilst Verstappen has been able to thrive in Red Bull cars despite shortcomings in the past two years, teammates have fallen by the wayside - evidenced by the gulf in performance between the Dutchman and Lawson in Australia and China.

'I don't think he would tell the truth'

Asked whether he would ask Verstappen for advice on how to get the best from the Red Bull, Tsunoda replied: "I think even if I tap him on the shoulder and ask about the car, I don't think he would tell the truth. I will have to discover for myself in the data how he (Max) is driving.

"Also the onboard [videos]. I have already checked onboard videos, in the last two grands prix.

"Like I said, I didn't feel the trickiness yet about the car. I will feel it myself. I am sure it also depends on driving style so his will behave a bit different.

"So once I feel the car and with my five years of experience, I believe I can give some ideas to sort it out and once I really struggle... no, I still don't think I am asking.

"I am just going to discover with my engineers, they have already been helpful and giving ideas of the characteristics that are giving drivers less confidence.

"So all the information is already stuck in my head, so it is pretty clear. So it's just to see how it goes after FP1."