Marko: Tsunoda ‘impetuous’ and ‘very stubborn’ driver
AlphaTauri rookie Yuki Tsunoda has once again drawn criticism from Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Dr Helmut Marko.
Tsunoda will start from the very back of the grid for the French Grand Prix after suffering yet another crash during qualifying on Saturday.
His session was over in mere minutes as he lost control at Turn 1 and hit the barrier, causing more damage to his AT02 which has certainly been in the wars this season.
Becoming almost as regular as Tsunoda’s crashes is criticism from the onlooking Marko, keeping a close check on another emerging talent from the Red Bull pool.
unfortunately @yukitsunoda07’s day is over early 👎
he spins at Turn 1 and isn’t able to get the car going again pic.twitter.com/6nNyXperTt
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) June 19, 2021
And it is fair to say that Marko is becoming increasingly frustrated with him after his latest accident.
“We have to slow down his impetuous nature without affecting his incredible speed,” Marko is quoted as having told Austrian broadcaster Servus TV in France.
“I thought this sort of thing would be over after Imola, but he proves that he can be very stubborn.”
Marko’s comments came after Tsunoda apologised to the team, owning up to his mistake.
“It was my mistake in qualifying and I want to apologise to the team,” Tsunoda said.
“I just used too much of the yellow kerb at turn one and I spun out. I tried to brake as much as possible to avoid contact with the barrier, but it was like skating on ice as I was going backwards.
“It was fairly low impact, but there is some damage to the car so the team will have to work hard to get me ready. The best way to thank the team would be to have a good race.”
Marko was asked about more positive subjects, more specifically Max Verstappen’s second pole position of the season.
“Well, a pole is never easy. I mean the combination of car, engine and driver was so good,” Marko concluded.
“We were actually hoping Perez would be third, but he missed it by a few hundredths. Generally though we are in a good position for the race.
“We want to win the start, get away from the front, and take a one second lead because the DRS effect is strong here.
“Then control the race from the front.
“That’s the theory. I’m sure Mercedes has one too, but I think it could work out for us.”
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