‘We can’t keep on like this’ – Tsunoda rues mistakes and bad luck in Vegas

Yuki Tsunoda was left frustrated after another disappointing result in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the Red Bull driver conceding “we can’t keep on like this”.

Tsunoda is in the midst of a difficult season with Red Bull, having joined from Racing Bulls two weekends into the campaign. With points at just one of the last nine events, Las Vegas marked another testing chapter, with early pace failing to equate to a positive outcome.

While much of the damage was done by a Q1 exit in treacherous conditions in Qualifying, he was unable to make meaningful progress in the race.

Tsunoda's strategy to stop on Lap 1 and run the hard tyre to the end ended up being ruined by a Virtual Safety Car on Lap 2, something that gifted drivers ahead a cheaper stop, and aided Kimi Antonelli to leap from a similarly difficult Q1 exit into the podium places.

“First of all, very unfortunate the Safety Car when I came in,” said Tsunoda. “It was right after I pitted, so that's not ideal at all. I stayed in the dirty air afterwards because people came into the pits, and it feels like everything so far is going against me, and it's tough.

“The pace I'd shown until Qualifying was good, and Qualifying was just not in my control, a lost opportunity, and it's tough. At least the pace itself is going in the right direction, but it's frustrating that I couldn't really show it in the result."

Tsunoda is under significant pressure to perform, with continuing rumours that Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar is set to take his seat for 2026.

Despite this pressure, he was on Verstappen’s pace across the free practice sessions in Las Vegas, with the two trading times across the three hours of running.

Asked if this will have been noticed by the Red Bull hierarchy, he added: "Multiple times, FP1, FP2, FP3, on multiple laps, I was ahead of Max in performance runs, and I think that's something that I didn't have for a long time. Obviously, one of his strengths is that he will bring the car or his level to another level in Qualifying, which is his strength, but also, I had confidence into Qualifying.

“I guess people noticed it, but at the same time, what I want is the result, and obviously the team [does] as well. But we can't keep on like this in terms of this mistake and everything, so we tidy it up for Qatar."