Yuki Tsunoda has urged the RB Formula 1 team to improve its start procedure as he lamented lost places compromising his hopes at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Tsunoda again fronted the Faenza-based squad’s charge on home soil as he produced some blistering times over one lap to reach Q3 for the fourth time this season.
But starting seventh, Tsunoda lost ground at lights out and lost two places to Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg, with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo also falling back.
Although Tsunoda would execute an undercut to re-overtake Hulkenberg’s Haas, the earlier-than-planned pit stop made him vulnerable to Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.
“I think our start slightly compromised our race because we lost a couple of positions including Nico,” explained Tsunoda post-race.
“He was fast on the straights, so we didn’t want to end up behind him which is why we pitted before him and earlier than planned.
“It was the crucial moment of the race, and I think we managed the strategy well and responded correctly [to Hulkenberg].”
The Japanese driver admitted that he struggled during his second stint on the Hard compound, as he had to manage his rubber for more than 50 laps on a single set.
“It [the start] meant we had to go long in our second stint and managing the hard tyre for the last 15 laps was challenging,” he conceded.
“It wasn’t easy managing more than 50 laps with a Hard.
“The start is the main topic that we need to improve on. We’re working hard to take another step forward and we’ll focus on extracting the maximum out of our package.”
But Tsunoda’s single point ensured that RB extended its advantage over Haas in the Constructors’ Championship, with Hulkenberg unable to maintain pace with his rival.
Tsunoda added that he was motivated heading into Monaco this weekend and expressed confidence in RB’s chances to put in another competitive outing in Monte Carlo.
“Monaco is up next and I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “We’ve been working hard and performing well, and I don’t have a doubt that we will maximize our performance.”
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