Yuki Tsunoda responds to Max Verstappen’s comments about his recent results. According to the Dutch driver, the fact that Tsunoda was immediately competitive after the start of his substitute stint is proof that the 2026 cars are insensitive to driver input. The Japanese driver has been sitting in Liam Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls since the Zandvoort Grand Prix. “I think I’ve just done well since then,” said Tsunoda.
Max Verstappen recently reflected on the 2026 cars in an interview with BBC Sport. The Dutchman has complained about the cars before, but pointed out a new weakness of the current regulations to the British media. According to Verstappen, the current cars are less sensitive to driver input.
“In the history of this sport, the driver who is most dedicated – who brakes last, accelerates earlier, and goes full throttle through high-speed corners – is usually rewarded, because you simply gain time in the corner,” Verstappen explained. However, the big role that energy management now plays in driving has changed that. “But now you are constantly thinking: ‘In this corner I might need to be a bit more cautious. Accelerate later. Or brake earlier. Or lift off the throttle. And then I have more top speed.’ Those kinds of things. It’s so unnatural. It shouldn’t be like that at all.”
‘2026 cars are insensitive to what you do as a driver’
The Dutchman then referred to Yuki Tsunoda, who has been back in the car as Liam Lawson’s replacement at Racing Bulls since the Zandvoort Grand Prix. “With all due respect, and I hope no one reads anything into this, but look at Yuki. He gets in the car. He has never driven the car before. And is immediately competitive,” Verstappen continued. “Liam moves from Racing Bulls to Red Bull – and is immediately competitive. That’s because these cars are insensitive to what you do as a driver.”
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“Of course, yes, you still have to do a good lap and you still have to give it your all,” said the Red Bull driver. “The fastest drivers will always finish at the top, but it is really very limited, as if you are in a stranglehold or something. You are being held back.”
Tsunoda responds
Tsunoda responded in Madrid to the statements of his former teammate. “Those are his comments, so… I don’t know. To be honest, I just read them. That’s all,” the Japanese driver remained reserved. “It is certainly a different car. It is clear that energy management and those kinds of things are different. Of course, it comes with the territory that you can’t really go flat out in some corners. I experienced that in Monza.”
“But yes, that’s it. I don’t really take anything from his comments and if I compare it with my results, what I have shown in two races, I think it is something very personal. So I think I did well and that’s it,” Tsunoda concluded.
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