Yuki Tsunoda identifies reason behind handing Max Verstappen first F1 defeat

Yuki Tsunoda believes his clean execution of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend thus far was a key factor behind handing Max Verstappen his first defeat of the season.

For the first time as team-mates, Tsunoda out-qualified Verstappen, doing so in sprint qualifying by securing fifth on the grid to Verstappen's sixth. 

It is the first time a team-mate has beaten the Dutchman since Sergio Perez in qualifying for the 2024 Azerbaijan GP, with Verstappen braced for a difficult sprint after his own difficulties, including running wide and damaging the car early in SQ3.

For Tsunoda, whose future at Red Bull remains uncertain, he is hoping to carry the smooth weekend so far into the Sprint to aid Red Bull in beating Ferrari for third in the constructors'.

"So far, it has been a clean race weekend, pretty smooth, and no issues happened in practice or qualifying," Tsunoda explained.

"It is good that I felt more confident in qualifying, and that we've had a clean race weekend so far.

"You just have to put it all together. There are three more sessions to go, and now it is especially important for the team and especially for Max.

"It is good that both sides of the garage are focused, and we try to give ourselves the maximum.

"I am happy with the car and my confidence, and obviously there is a bit to go [in the Sprint], to find the extra tenths, but I am excited."