Yuki Tsunoda explains large gap to Max Verstappen in Jeddah qualifying
Yuki Tsunoda denies that he’s “struggling” at Red Bull, but admits he has a lot to learn about the notoriously tricky RB21
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Yuki Tsunoda lost out to Max Verstappen in Jeddah, qualifying P8 for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix while his teammate claimed pole. The recently-promoted Red Bull driver said he isn’t “struggling,” but emphasized how tricky the RB21 is to drive.
“I had a massive snap in turn 4. When I push more, this unpredictable snap keeps happening and it’s just really hard to reach the limit,” he told reporters after the session.
Tsunoda said he was much more confident in the RB car over the past four seasons and knew how to find the limit. “I could squeeze out the last few seconds, or few milliseconds, but currently it's hard to find the limit so I’m really frustrated,” he added.
Watch: Was This as Magical a Pole as Max in Suzuka? Saudi Arabia GP Qualifying Report
The Japanese driver, who was only promoted to Red Bull at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix just three weeks ago, wants to give himself more time to get up to speed with the “unpredictable” car. “I wouldn't say I’m struggling [against Verstappen] because it’s only the third race, but it’s really unpredictable so far… I still don’t know why I had that snap.”
Tsunoda also admitted he could learn from Verstappen’s ability to set up and handle the car in different conditions.
“Maybe I was too comfortable with the setup I had in free practice, which is when the track was in a bad condition. But when the track got better with these cold temperatures, maybe I have to think about it slightly more,” he explained, noting he found it harder to drive as the track rubbered in.
“For me, it was worse when the track got better and better, so that's the difficult part,” he lamented.
Photos from Saudi Arabian GP - Practice & Qualifying
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
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