Tsunoda to Start Hungarian GP from Pitlane Following Engine Change
Red Bull Racing’s Yuki Tsunoda will start the Hungarian Grand Prix from the pitlane after team officials opted to implement a new power unit in his car, breaching parc ferme regulations. The Japanese driver faced a challenging qualifying session, securing 16th on the grid at the Hungaroring.
Tsunoda’s Engine Change Details
The decision to change Tsunoda’s power unit comes after a difficult weekend for Red Bull Racing. According to the FIA technical delegate’s report, Tsunoda will be using a new internal combustion engine (ICE), alongside a new turbocharger and motor generator unit-heat (MGU-H). This marks the fifth iteration of both the ICE and turbocharger for Tsunoda in the 2025 season, surpassing the four units permitted under the championship regulations.
Qualifying Struggles for Tsunoda
Tsunoda showed signs of improvement during the qualifying sessions, logging a Q1 lap that was just 0.168 seconds slower than his teammate, reigning world champion Max Verstappen. However, he narrowly missed out on advancing to Q2, finishing only 0.024 seconds behind Franco Colapinto of Alpine.
Team Principal’s Insights
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the struggles faced by the team throughout the weekend. “We’ve been struggling since yesterday,” Mekies stated to Sky Sports F1. “It’s been very difficult to provide our drivers with a car they wanted. We’ve tried numerous setups but haven’t achieved the desired grip.” He emphasized that the team is using this experience as an opportunity to learn and adapt going forward.
Looking Ahead to the Race
As Tsunoda prepares for the race starting from the pitlane, he will need to demonstrate resilience and skill to make a strong comeback. With Red Bull Racing aiming to bounce back after a challenging qualifying performance, all eyes will be on how Tsunoda navigates the race amidst the fierce competition on the track.
For fans and followers of Formula 1, the Hungarian Grand Prix promises to be an action-packed event, and Tsunoda’s journey from the pitlane will be one to watch closely.
