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Yuki Tsunoda Confident on Red Bull 2026 After Strong Mexico GP Qualifying
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Highlights
- Yuki Tsunoda starts 10th at Mexico GP after Sainz penalty
- Red Bull continues reviewing Tsunoda’s seat for 2026 season
- Tsunoda finished two tenths behind teammate Max Verstappen in qualifying
- Driver and Verstappen struggled with mechanical grip during qualifying
- Helmut Marko optimistic about Tsunoda scoring points from top 10
Yuki Tsunoda prioritizes execution as Red Bull assesses his 2026 prospects, leaving Mexico City outside Q3 but promoted to 10th on the grid by Carlos Sainz’s US Grand Prix penalty.
He stresses performance over politics. “I just keep performing,” Tsunoda says, acknowledging the grid gain and a realistic target of points from the top 10.
Starts P10 after Sainz’s penalty, setting up a realistic points opportunity.
Saturday pace is consistent at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, yet the final step to Q3 proves elusive before the post-session reshuffle.
On raw lap time, Tsunoda ends within two tenths of Max Verstappen, underlining the underlying speed despite a car that lacks comfort early in qualifying.
Two tenths off Verstappen underscores competitive one-lap speed.
Both drivers report low mechanical grip and narrow tyre warm-up windows, an endemic Mexico City challenge that amplifies small preparation errors.
Tsunoda calls his Q2 attempt tidy, but accepts the package trails marginally as the track evolves. In normal conditions, he believes a Q3 appearance is achievable.
Helmut Marko strikes an optimistic tone, suggesting a top-10 start offers a clear route to points while evaluations for 2026 continue in the background.
Laurent Mekies maintains a measured stance on future decisions, reinforcing the message that consistent execution will carry the greatest influence.
“I just keep performing” — Tsunoda on handling 2026 uncertainty.
From tenth, strategy flexibility matters. Tyre management, phase timing, and traffic navigation could swing the race given Mexico’s traction limitations and long-run sensitivity.
For Tsunoda, a clean opening stint and protective tyre temperatures offer the pathway to convert grid position into points and strengthen his 2026 case.
Visual Summary
P10 • Tsunoda
#10 Grid Start
🎯 Focus: Perform Under Pressure
🟡 Red Bull Decision 2026 Pending
🇯🇵 Tsunoda Fights for His Seat
Yuki Tsunoda lines up P10 in Mexico, determined to secure his F1 future amid Red Bull’s careful watch.
Just two tenths behind Verstappen, he’s focused on performance—not politics.
Q3 Margin +0.2s behind Verstappen
Missed Q3 by a fraction, but still in the fight.
The spotlight is on. Tsunoda’s future is on the grid—and every lap counts.
All eyes on Mexico.
All eyes on Mexico.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
