Helmut Marko has forged his verdict on Yuki Tsunoda’s Purple Bull debut on the F1 Japanese Grand Prix.
Tsunoda made a optimistic begin to his first race weekend as Max Verstappen’s Purple Bull teammate however was eradicated from Q2 with the 15-fastest time and will solely end twelfth in Sunday’s grand prix at Suzuka.
It ended up being a disappointing weekend on house soil for Tsunoda, who was promoted to Purple Bull simply two races into the 2025 season after Liam Lawson’s horrible begin.
Chatting with Sky Germany after Sunday’s race, Purple Bull motorsport advisor Marko praised Tsunoda for a “strong” first outing within the RB21.
“Overtaking right here is extremely tough. He drove a strong race, however it exhibits how necessary qualifying is,” Marko mentioned.
He added in a separate interview with Motorsport: “It was good. It was simply unfortunate that in Qualifying 2 he had this error. However in any other case it was superb.”
Within the different Purple Bull, Verstappen fended off a race-long problem from the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to say his first victory of the 12 months.
Talking about Tsunoda, Purple Bull staff principal Christian Horner mentioned: “He has dialled himself into the automotive and staff. He ought to make a step ahead over the following few races.
“He made one go after which we undercut Pierre Gasly. His tempo was good, however he was trying behind Fernando Alonso’s rear wing for principally that total second stint.
“Qualifying dictated 90 per cent of these ending positions at present. I believe he’s realized lots out of this weekend.
“He’s given nice suggestions. He’s fitted into the staff, and his time will come.”
Yuki Tsunoda left with combined emotions
Whereas Tsunoda was pleased with the progress he made with Purple Bull’s tough 2025 automotive, he was finally left rueing lacking out on a factors end at his house race.
“I am pleased with the race, when it comes to my efficiency, however clearly, when it comes to outcomes, it is fairly powerful, particularly for my house Grand Prix,” Tsunoda mentioned.
“I used to be undoubtedly anticipating extra, and you realize, not less than I needed to complete in a degree, so it is combined emotions.
“The 53, 54 laps I obtained on this race was essentially the most laps I had on this automotive. Each lap I used to be studying, and at last, I obtained first rate laps within the automotive, and I undoubtedly really feel extra confidence within the automotive. I simply really feel total managed extra in direction of the top of the race.
“I am completely happy contemplating the period of time I had, however due to [it being my] house Grand Prix, I simply needed to complete within the factors. I simply must construct the tempo. It is lucky that there is Max that I can study from.
“So I simply maintain doing what I am doing. I am excited for Bahrain really.”
Purple Bull are but to attain a degree with their second automotive and are third within the constructors’ championship, 50 factors behind McLaren.
