Yuki Tsunoda says the Crimson Bull feels “a bit extra tough” to drive in actuality in comparison with the simulator, regardless of making an encouraging begin in FP1 on the Japanese Grand Prix.
There was loads of give attention to Tsunoda’s first outing within the RB21 in the course of the first observe session of the weekend at Suzuka, and he duly posted a finest lap time simply over 0.1s off teammate Max Verstappen at an identical time in FP1. The afternoon operating was hit by 4 purple flags that meant many groups missed out on consultant knowledge, however Tsunoda admits he bought sufficient operating to really feel the challenges of his new automotive.
“Yeah, FP1 was higher than anticipated, a superb begin for myself,” Tsunoda mentioned. “And FP2 I didn’t set a lap time. I feel there may be a whole lot of work to do, perhaps barely struggled or one thing that we’ve got to look by means of the information in FP2 extra, however to this point total it’s OK. I simply need to construct up confidence extra.
“It’s a bit totally different to the simulator from what I felt, to be trustworthy. A bit of bit greater than I anticipated when it comes to the automotive feeling. I knew anyway it was at all times going to be a bit totally different in the actual automotive and it was a bit of bit extra exaggerated in the actual automotive. It’s feeling a bit extra tough.”
Whereas Tsunoda is a brand new addition to the Crimson Bull lineup, Verstappen has been calling for automotive enhancements for a while, and says the insecurity he has within the automotive is hurting his tempo.
“It was fairly chaotic on the market for everybody with the purple flags,” Verstappen mentioned. “So we, like everybody else, couldn’t full all of the issues that we needed to do. However at present has been fairly troublesome for me, simply making an attempt a whole lot of various things with the automotive. But it surely looks as if a whole lot of issues are usually not actually clicking in the meanwhile.
“It’s fairly troublesome simply to place the lap down. You want a whole lot of confidence and dedication round right here. And in the meanwhile, I don’t really feel like I can use that. So we nonetheless have a bit of labor to do.”
Verstappen additionally complained of a wierd sensation along with his entire automotive flexing throughout FP1, however says that’s an ongoing difficulty that seems extra outstanding at Suzuka and can take time to grasp. Of extra speedy concern for the defending champion is getting a learn on how the Crimson Bull’s race tempo is trying on Saturday.
“Not a lot [graining] for us. However I used to be on the mushy, in order that tire requires a whole lot of administration anyway. You possibly can’t actually push that tire. After which I solely did like three laps on the finish.
“So probably not a superb learn. I feel tomorrow, probably in FP3, you will note a whole lot of groups making an attempt to do a bit extra of a longish run with the time that you’ve. However yeah, it’s not been a simple day.”
