Yuki Tsunoda has apologised to AlphaTauri having publicly questioned if his car was different to his team-mate Pierre Gasly’s.
Tsunoda failed to make it out of Q1 in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix and hit out with a “I can’t f***ing believe this car” as he made his way back to the pits.
Speaking to the media afterwards, he questioned whether he had the “same car” as Gasly, who made through to Q2.
“It’s always different feedback compared to my team-mate, even when we try the opposite,” Tsunoda said.
“I have a little bit question mark [if it] is the same car – of course it’s the same car, but just the character of the car is just too different.
“Maybe, of course, it’s a different driving style. But yeah, I don’t know, I don’t understand what happened, why I’m struggling this much.”
A few hours later, though, he was saying sorry for his comments.
“I wanted to apologise for my comments,” he wrote on Twitter. “I didn’t mean to criticise the team who have done a great job all weekend.
“I was just frustrated with my performance. Full send tomorrow.”
“I couldn’t put together my run today,” he added. “I feel that we still need to deepen our understanding of cars.
“I would like to proceed with data analysis with the team and seek a better setting. I will do my best tomorrow!”
Tsunoda will start Sunday race from 16th place on the grid with Gasly P12.
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This isn’t the first time that Tsunoda has vented after qualifying or a race, the swearing Japanese rookie already known for his outburst.
But when it comes to criticing his team, former F1 World Champion Jenson Button says he needs to control his anger.
“I think he has to control his anger a little bit,” said Button.
“Teams don’t like it when you talk out like that. He needs to control that if he wants to stay in this sport.
“Especially with Franz, you can’t speak about the car or team like that. He’s got to get back, see what his team-mate is doing differently and discuss it with the team, not in public.”
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