Max Verstappen: Tsunoda is not a “pancake” so “this might be a sign” to Red Bull

While Max Verstappen squeezed the absolute maximum out of his RB21 with a P3 finish, qualifying in Barcelona turned into a disaster for Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver was not only eliminated in Q1, but following Liam Lawson performance in China, he became the second Red Bull driver this season to set the slowest time in a regular qualifying session.

Helmut Marko called it something that needs to be “discussed internally,” while Tsunoda himself sounded despondent in the media pen. He admitted that absolutely nothing worked and spoke of a “fundamental limitation” in the car, although he also said he didn’t know exactly what it was.

Tsunoda’s difficult day fits into long Red Bull trend

When Verstappen was asked during the Dutch media session in the paddock about Tsunoda’s last-place qualifying finish, the reigning world champion responded:

“He’s not a pancake, right? When he was in those Racing Bulls, he always looked good compared to Hadjar. But yeah, it is what it is.”

(“Pannenkoek” is a Dutch slang term for someone who’s hopeless or completely incompetent.)

While Verstappen mentioned Isack Hadjar, the Frenchman also remarked after qualifying that, in his opinion, Tsunoda is not a driver who belongs in P20:

“Yuki is definitely worth more than a P20, that’s for sure,” Hadjar said. “Of course, I don’t really know what he’s going through at the moment. Because I’ve never been on the other side of the garage. But yeah, he needs to keep pushing […] he’s definitely not a P20 guy.”

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

That being said, it fits perfectly with a long-standing trend. The second Red Bull seat has been a headache for years, often leaving Verstappen to fend for himself in races.

“Of course it’s been going on for a long time. Maybe that’s also a sign,” Verstappen said.

Asked what exactly it’s a sign of, Verstappen replied, “You can answer that yourself.”

The Dutchman was clearly pointing out that the Red Bull car is particularly difficult to handle — something that remains true even in 2025.

“If you don’t have enough grip, then that’s it. The balance was good, but we just didn’t have enough grip, so there was not much we could do.”

Verstappen values a competitive car more than a fast teammate

It’s obviously painful for Red Bull Racing in the constructors’ championship—and for the associated prize money—but Verstappen has always said that having a competitive car matters more to him in the title fight than having a competitive teammate.

However, that competitive car, needed to properly take on McLaren, is also currently lacking.

“We just lack a bit of grip,” Verstappen said in Spain in response to a question from Motorsport.com. “The overall performance just isn’t there. And we know that. You just have to accept it.”