Max Verstappen issues Yuki Tsunoda verdict: 'He is not a pancake'

Max Verstappen has jumped to the defence of Yuki Tsunoda following the latter's difficult qualifying outing in Spain.

Tsunoda endured a painful session on Saturday and ended the Q1 session in 20th place, securing his position at the back of the starting grid. 

The Japanese driver has endured a difficult run of form since joining Red Bull, mirroring the struggles of predecessors before him.

However, Verstappen pointed to Tsunoda's previous positive form at Racing Bulls as an indication of his abilities.

“He’s not a pancake,” Verstappen told select media including RacingNews365. “When he was in the Racing Bulls, it always looked pretty good compared to Isack and Liam.

“It’s been going on for a long time, of course. Maybe it’s also a sign.”

When asked to clarify what it is a sign of, Verstappen replied: “You can fill in that yourself.”

Verstappen endured a more positive session compared to his team-mate and is due to start from third, behind the McLaren duo on the front row.

The Dutchman detailed little surprise in being bested across one lap by the Woking-based squad.

"If you look at the whole season, we have always been behind,” he said. “Only when they make a few mistakes, we can benefit from that.

“It is a bit of the reality that we have been dealing with all season. And some circuits are even worse for us than others.

"You just have to stay realistic. We can all dream, but that doesn't help much in Formula 1.”