Yuki Tsunoda has shrugged off Max Verstappen's suggestion that his recent results prove the 2026 Formula 1 cars have diminished the driver's role. The Japanese driver chose not to dwell on his former Red Bull teammate's comments.
Verstappen had pointed to Tsunoda's and Liam Lawson's performances as evidence that the new-generation cars are easier to drive and leave less room for driver skill to shine. However, Tsunoda insisted he only skimmed the remarks and won't let them affect his mindset.
"It's his comments, so... I don't know. I really just read it, to be honest. That's it," Tsunoda said in Madrid. "It's a different car, for sure. Obviously, energy deployments and stuff is different. It's obviously part of things that you can't really push flat out in some corners. Something I experienced in Monza. But, yeah, that's it. I'm not really taking anything from his comments and compare to my results, what I showed in two races, it's a very individual thing, I think. So, I think I've done a good job and that's it."
Tsunoda has indeed been impressive. Called up by Racing Bulls to replace the injured Isack Hadjar, he scored a point at Monza after narrowly missing out at Zandvoort. This comes after a challenging 2025 season with Red Bull, where he finished 17th in the standings.
Verstappen, a vocal critic of the 2026 regulations, described the new cars as "Formula E on steroids" due to their reliance on energy management. He argued that drivers who are bravest and brake latest no longer gain a significant advantage because they have to manage energy. He even cited Lando Norris being 'forced' into overtaking Lewis Hamilton at Suzuka, and McLaren's comments about the 'self-learning elements' of the power unit affecting racing.
However, Tsunoda sees it differently. For him, each driver has their own style and challenges, and his results are the product of his own hard work. "I think I've done a good job," he asserted. He also doesn't want to get caught up in debates about regulations that are better left to engineers and policymakers.
For now, Tsunoda will race for Racing Bulls in Madrid this weekend while Hadjar continues his recovery. This opportunity is a chance for Tsunoda to prove that his ability isn't dependent on car characteristics. If he can consistently score points, a full-time F1 seat for 2027 could well open up.
Baca Juga
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Yuki Tsunoda menanggapi komentar Max Verstappen yang menyebut mobil F1 2026 mengurangi peran pembalap. Tsunoda tetap fokus pada performanya bersama Racing Bulls.
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