Red Flag Dashes Tsunoda’s Hopes in Thrilling Battle

Yuki Tsunoda reflects on a daring wet tyre strategy, frustrated by the red flag but optimistic about RB F1’s strong weekend performance.

Yuki Tsunoda expressed no disappointment with his team’s bold decision to opt for full wet tyres at Interlagos. The RB F1 driver reflected on the strategy with optimism, noting that it was a calculated risk that might have paid off if not for the red flag’s interruption.

“I believe our choice to switch to the full wets was the right call,” Tsunoda commented. “It was the safety car and the red flag that really altered the course of the race. Had that red flag not appeared, I would likely have overtaken several cars, perhaps even taken the lead—but that opportunity never came.”

Demonstrating tactical insight, Tsunoda capitalised on Oscar Piastri’s penalty to gain an extra position, all while steering clear of any mistakes in tricky conditions. “The conditions were challenging. Losing focus, even for a moment, could have had severe consequences.”

Tsunoda appreciated the intensity of his battle with Piastri during the final stint, remarking, “I enjoyed that last run; it was a good fight with Oscar. My aim was to stay within 10 seconds. There were chances to misstep, but I kept it clean and pushed to finish seventh, which I’m happy with.”

The Japanese driver lamented Alpine’s points haul, which saw them leapfrog RB F1 in the constructors’ standings, but he took satisfaction in his team’s performance. “It’s unfortunate that Alpine scored heavily, impacting our position in the championship.”

“In the end, the results on paper don’t quite reflect our true performance, making it a bittersweet day. Nonetheless, it’s encouraging to have scored points again. There are many positives to take away from this weekend, and we’ll keep pushing for the final three races.”

Red Flag Dashes Tsunoda’s Hopes in Thrilling Battle Red Flag Dashes Tsunoda’s Hopes in Thrilling Battle