F1 | Tsunoda takes the Racing Bulls to Q3 in qualifying in Melbourne

F1 Racing Bulls Australian GP – Two-sided qualifying for Racing Bulls on the Albert Park track, scene of the next Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Author of a great time in Q2, Yuki Tsunoda managed to gain access to the final heats on Saturday and tomorrow he will start from the eighth pitch. An important condition that could help him reach the much coveted place in the top ten. The situation of Daniel Ricciardo, however, is more difficult, still not totally in symbiosis with the VCARB01. The Australian, on his home track, will start from 18th position.

Tsunoda takes eighth place in qualifying

“I am very satisfied with my performances and those of the whole team. The credit certainly goes to them, who gave me a very consistent car throughout the weekend. It was easier to adapt and gain confidence with each session; I feel like I had a clean lap, that I was able to squeeze a few extra milliseconds out of each corner and that I maximized performance. I didn't expect P8 and especially Q3 after seeing Williams and other teams improve a lot in Q1, I'm very happy. This is the best finish of the season so far and reflects the team's hard work. Daniel also looked fast, it's a bit of a shame what happened, but let's see how it goes tomorrow. It won't be easy, but we aim to have a clean race, do our best and score points!”.

Ricciardo, Saturday to forget on his home track

At Turn 4 I was slipping and struggling to get the car to the limit and on that lap I went a little wide. I realized I had used more curb than I wanted on the exit, but I wasn't sure whether or not I had exceeded the limits of the track. In the following corners I had already forgotten about it, until I returned to the garage and Pierre told me that the lap had been cancelled. After Saudi Arabia, the team made a big effort to bring some innovations here that seemed to work. When I closed my round, I felt like I had given it my all and achieved everything I could. I'm satisfied with the lap, but I'm a little skeptical due to the position we're in because we were slow anyway. I've done enough qualifying laps over the years to know where I stand, and I think we're still missing a few things. We've had problems all weekend, but it's nothing major; I feel the car and feel comfortable driving it, with the balance and braking, and that's why today's grid position is really painful. Tomorrow will be a long race, probably with two stops; maybe this will give us some more opportunities. I feel the need to release some frustration, so something in my room is likely to end badly, but it will help me feel slightly better.”