Red Bull have made extensive changes to the set-up of Yuki Tsunoda’s car after he qualified last for the Spanish Grand Prix.
He was originally due to start the race from 20th place, which became 19th after Lance Stroll withdrew. However Red Bull have chosen to take Tsunoda’s car out of parc ferme in order to make multiple set-up changes, meaning he will have to start the race from the pit lane.
FIA documents confirmed Red Bull have altered the suspension set-up on Tsunoda’s RB21 and switched to a different rear wing specification. Both changes require a pit lane start.
This is the second time in three races Tsunoda has started a race from the pit lane. He had to do so at Imola after crashing in Q1.
It is the fourth pit lane start in nine grands prix for Red Bull this year. Liam Lawson started both his races for the team from the pits before Tsunoda replaced him at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Tsunoda qualified fifth for the season-opening round when he was still at Racing Bulls and has started as high as eighth on the grid for Red Bull. However he has been forthright about the difficulties he’s encountered trying to drive Red Bull’s car.
He has been unhappy with his car’s balance throughout the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, saying on Friday “I just don’t have any idea why I am slow.” Following his elimination in Q1 yesterday, when he lapped over half a second slower than Verstappen, Tsunoda said his runs had been clean. “There’s not anything, a mistake or whatever, in both laps.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Tsunoda “has struggled all weekend” with their car.
“We went up a little on the downforce to try and help him but it’s difficult to understand, we will need to have a look at it.”
This article will be updated
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