Yuki Tsunoda completed two competitive Formula One sessions for Racing Bulls at Zandvoort on Saturday. He finished thirteenth in the Dutch Grand Prix Sprint and later qualified twelfth for Sunday’s main race.
Tsunoda joined the team at short notice after Isack Hadjar injured his wrist. Liam Lawson moved to the senior Red Bull team for the weekend, and Tsunoda filled the open Racing Bulls seat.
The late team decision reduced preparation time
Tsunoda was on holiday in Greece when his management told him that a return was possible. He had continued physical training, but he had not followed the normal programme of a driver preparing for a race weekend. He travelled through the United Kingdom before arriving at Zandvoort. The short notice left less time for simulator work, engineering meetings and study of the current car.
His earlier years with the same organisation helped communication. He knew many team members and understood the working routine, even though the 2026 car was new to him.
Tsunoda completed the Sprint and collected useful race data
Tsunoda completed the 24-lap Sprint in thirteenth place. He stayed out of major trouble and collected information about tyre behaviour, braking and the balance of the car with other drivers nearby. A points finish was not available from that position, but finishing the session mattered. The team received current data before main qualifying and did not face a large repair job between sessions.
The result also showed which parts of the car felt predictable over several laps. That information helped the engineers choose a focused plan for the afternoon.
Twelfth place in qualifying showed steady progress
Tsunoda passed the first qualifying stage and reached the second.
He placed twelfth, one position behind Pierre Gasly and one position ahead of Nico Hulkenberg. Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad reached the final stage and qualified tenth. The comparison gave the team useful information, but the drivers had very different preparation before the weekend.
Tsunoda’s result placed him near the middle of the grid. He can attack for points on Sunday if the car keeps its speed over a longer distance and the team makes accurate strategy calls.
| Session | Tsunoda’s result |
|---|---|
| Dutch Grand Prix Sprint | Thirteenth place |
| Grand Prix qualifying | Twelfth place |
| Sunday Grand Prix | Starts from twelfth place |
Tsunoda needs a clean race on Sunday
The Grand Prix covers 72 laps. Tsunoda must manage tyre wear and other cars for much longer than he did in the Sprint. A calm opening is important because damage on the first lap would remove the value of Saturday’s work. Starting twelfth also gives him several strategy options. An early stop may create open track, while a longer first stint may help if a Safety Car appears. The team should react to real tyre condition rather than follow a fixed plan.
Rain can change the race quickly at Zandvoort. Tsunoda and his engineer need short messages about grip, tyre temperature and the best moment for a pit stop.
Tsunoda completed Saturday without a major problem
Tsunoda did not return with a normal amount of preparation. He still completed both Saturday sessions, avoided major contact and moved into the second part of qualifying. That work gives Racing Bulls a stable base for Sunday. A points finish remains possible, but the final judgment should include the limited preparation and the need to learn during competitive sessions.
Hadjar’s recovery remains the reason for the temporary arrangement. The team has not described the change as permanent. For now, Tsunoda’s task is to complete the Dutch Grand Prix with the same controlled approach.
The small qualifying gap shows the car’s speed
Twelfth place did not place Tsunoda in the final qualifying group, but it showed that the car could compete near the points positions. A small improvement in one corner could have changed his starting row. The engineers can compare his best sectors instead of focusing only on the final position. If the strongest parts of different laps are combined, they show where the car had more speed than the official time suggests.
That comparison is practical for the race. It helps the team identify which corners should be protected and where Tsunoda can take a little more risk.
The strategy must help Tsunoda fight for points
Tsunoda starts close to several cars with similar speed. An early stop may give him open track, but it can also leave him on old tyres late in the race. A longer first part may work if he can stay within reach of the group ahead. The team must also react to changing weather and safety-car periods. Zandvoort has a narrow track, so a well-timed stop can gain more positions than several laps of attacking in a group.
The target is simple: remain in contact during the first part and use the strongest tyre period at the right moment. A points finish is possible, but it will require clean execution from both driver and pit wall.
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