Red Bull is facing a “critical” situation following Yuki Tsunoda’s significant crash during qualifying at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. The Japanese driver lost control on his first flying lap in Q1 and collided with a tire barrier at high speed, causing his car to flip. Fortunately, the car landed upright and Tsunoda walked away unharmed, which was the most important outcome. However, the crash caused extensive damage, creating a major repair challenge for Red Bull’s mechanics, especially with upcoming races in Monaco and Barcelona as part of a triple-header, where the team cannot afford further damage to their cars.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko described the situation as a huge setback, noting that this was the third race in a row with significant issues. He emphasized that Monte Carlo is particularly unforgiving for mistakes and that the team’s spare parts inventory has become “really critical” due to these incidents. Despite the seriousness of the crash, Marko stated there would be no additional pressure on Tsunoda regarding his seat at Red Bull, even though the team had already demoted Liam Lawson earlier in the season for poor performance. Marko stressed the importance of providing Tsunoda with security and support.
Tsunoda himself rejected the idea that pressure caused the crash. He explained that the team supports him enough to alleviate pressure, but admitted he tried to be a “hero” in Q1 by attempting to pass with just one set of tires, which was unnecessary. He also mentioned that he made many changes to the car setup and was still learning how the car would react in different types of corners and speeds. Tsunoda acknowledged that the unexpected car balance contributed to the crash but took full responsibility for the mistake, calling it “obviously not acceptable” after five years in Formula 1. He expressed shame and disappointment, describing his pushing as “really stupid” and unnecessary.
He apologized to the Red Bull mechanics for the extensive work needed to repair the heavily damaged car and hoped it would be ready for the race. Since he had not set a time before crashing, Tsunoda was set to start from the last place on the grid. Red Bull decided to change his chassis and install a new engine, which meant he would start the race from the pit lane instead.
