Red Bull's 2025 Formula 1 recovery took a big step with Max Verstappen's Italian Grand Prix pole position - and the fastest-ever F1 qualifying lap at 164.466mph.
But Yuki Tsunoda was once again missing from the front of the field, though he offered several reasons why this time.
Tsunoda hasn't yet outqualified Verstappen this season and was only 10th at Monza, seven tenths of a second off the four-time champion.
On Verstappen's first Q3 run, he did enjoy a tow off Tsunoda, but, even without that luxury, the Dutchman improved on his second run.
Part of Tsunoda's reasoning for the continued deficit centred around Red Bull's floor - a new upgrade declared at - but not produced specifically for - Monza.
“To be honest, we have different floors this weekend,” he said.
Tsunoda compared the situation to that earlier in the season, where he and Verstappen were running different floor specifications until Belgium in July and were only finally given the same specs in Hungary just before the summer break.
“The car is probably not fast, but still, we're trying to make progress with upgrades as much as possible. It's a… situation like I had before Spa. I can easily accept it.”
He added that the upgrade difference was “not massive”.
“I would say [it comprises] a couple of details, but you know, details always make the difference in this kind of tight pack. But for me, being in Q3 was the target anyway, so it was good.”
The Japanese driver also blamed his position at the head of the pack - without a tow - for his qualifying shortfall at Monza.
“Also, I had to lead the pack in Q3… Leading the pack here traditionally is bad, which I clearly felt in the last push [lap], even though the lap was pretty good. Easily three tenths, four tenths [of a second], is there, but it is what it is.
“Still, I'm overall happy with the performance, and being in Q3 was the most important thing, so I'm happy with it.”
He added that his pace was almost up to par with Verstappen's before the decisive Q3 laps: “I actually showed that until Q2 I was consistently [close] behind Max, two tenths behind.”
Tsunoda's main rival for the second 2026 Red Bull seat Isack Hadjar did him a favour with his messy run to a Q1 exit at Monza, and 10th on the grid means Tsunoda is very much in contention to ensure both Red Bulls are in the points for a second straight race. Playing the team game with the early tow for Verstappen won't hurt either.
But with the clock ticking on Red Bull's big 2026 decision, Tsunoda's performance will remain under scrutiny in every single session.
