Marko praises Tsunoda after Melbourne qualifying display

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has sent Yuki Tsunoda praise following the Japanese driver’s qualifying effort for the Australian Grand Prix.

Tsunoda’s one-lap display saw him advance into a top 10 starting position for the second consecutive event.

The RB driver was eighth-fastest in Q3 and will share the fourth row with Mercedes’ George Russell for the race.

Tsunoda’s teammate Daniel Ricciardo endured a more difficult session at his home event, with the 34-year-old eliminated at the end of Q1 after his fastest attempt was deleted for a track limits breach.

“He got into the top 10 again, that was an incredible performance, he was always there, without mistakes,” Marko told ServusTV.

“I hope that we'll get into the points now because the speed is there. That was already the case in the first two races.

"That would be great, because the first five teams are so strong that you manage to get in there, that's an incredible achievement.”

Marko hails Verstappen

At the front of the field, Max Verstappen drove to his third pole position of the season, besting Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to the top spot.

"At the beginning of qualifying there was still a little too much understeer, but it was not a big problem,” Marko said of Verstappen’s attempt.

“Slowly but surely we pushed the limit and Max drove another great lap.

“He managed the tyres in such a way that everything was right in the last run. We didn't expect that, but we are happy!"