“Q3 and points”: Tsunoda shows his ambitions before Bahrain

In Bahrain, Yuki tsunoda finally finds some peace and quiet. A week after his home Grand Prix in Japan, the new driver Red Bull can finally fully concentrate on his role with the Austrian team. At Suzuka, he was the center of attention, both sportingly – for his first time with Red Bull – and in the media and popular media, in front of Japanese fans who turned out in large numbers throughout the weekend.

On the Sakhir track, the pressure is less for Yuki Tsunoda, who has now found his feet within his new team. "Compared to last Thursday [at Suzuka], I'm much calmer now. Naturally, I have fewer media obligations, and I can have a little more time to think about preparation., explained the Japanese pilot on Thursday in Sakhir. Also, I now know how the car handles, at least a little more than at the beginning of last week. Everything is positive, I made some modifications to adjust the seat a little more and everything else, so I think everything will be fine."

Tsunoda has « need to do more laps" with the RB21

Yuki Tsunoda had a frustrating weekend on his Red Bull debut at Suzuka: eliminated in Q2 after a mistake on his final attempt, the Japanese driver was stuck in traffic throughout the Grand Prix and ultimately finished 12th. A week after this mixed encounter, the Red Bull driver is hoping to bounce back in Bahrain, while also getting more familiar with the tricky RB21.

"I have learned a lot, but most of it is too early to draw any conclusions, confided number 22. I've just done five sessions, or rather four sessions because of the many red flags [in FP2 at Suzuka]. I just need to do more laps, but the main lesson in terms of car set-up is that I maybe need to take a slightly different approach to what I used to take on the Racing Bulls. I think the car is capable of achieving the same balance that I had in Racing Bulls, but that's not always the case."

Far from the podium ambitions he announced ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda is more realistic about his goals for Bahrain. A top 10 finish, both in qualifying and in the race, would already be a good result for the Japanese driver. "What I want to achieve this weekend is Q3 and points. Although I would like to say I am aiming for a podium, we know that the car is not easy to exploit in a high-performance window, recognized Yuki TsunodaI still have to get to know the car, so if I get some points or can get closer to Max to help him in the race, that would be a good goal." 

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