
Tsunoda explains controversial Dutch GP exit
F1 News
Tsunoda explains controversial Dutch GP exit

AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda has explained the reasoning for his bizarre exit from the Dutch Grand Prix.
Tsunoda ground to a halt at the exit of turn four on lap 45, screaming "tyres not fitted" down his team radio.
After spending considerable time stationary, the Japanese driver was informed his tyres were correctly fastened and told to continue.
But because Tsunoda had loosened his belts in preparation for retirement, he drove back to the pits slowly, managing to keep out of the way of those around him.
After returning to the pits, the AlphaTauri mechanics checked over the car, refastened Tsunoda's seatbelts and fitted another new set of tyres, only for the AT03 to stop again four corners after emerging back onto the track.
The subsequent virtual safety car turned the race strategy on its head and denied what was shaping into a thrilling battle for victory between Red Bull and Mercedes.
Explaining the confusion, Tsunoda said: "I thought there was an issue. For me, it was quite clear [there was a problem] at the left rear, so I got told by my engineer to stop.
"But we didn't see any clear issue in the data. That is why we rejoined to get back to the pits to fit a new tyre.
"After that, we saw a clear issue in the data, that is why we stopped.
"When I accelerated from the pit exit, it felt like only one wheel was having wheelspin. For me, it was like I was drifting down the straight, countersteering down the straight.
"So I didn't think it was normal."
On the work in his cockpit, Tsunoda added: "They just retightened the belts."
Radio silence prevents issue knowledge
Tsunoda continued to explain why he believed there would be a difference when he made the stop to change tyres again but conceded he was in the dark over what had caused him to retire.
"We fitted a new tyre again," he added. "I thought first the wheelspin happened because it was a hard tyre, but I felt a clear issue in the rear parts.
"The engineers confirmed an issue, so that is why I stopped."
On what the diagnosis of the issue was, Tsunoda replied: "I don't know, because I didn't have the radio."
Most read

Hamilton fired 'Oscars' warning as Red Bull Ford rumours intensify - GPFans F1 Recap

F1 LIVE - F1 Academy confirms first driver

Bottas slates 'controlling' FIA over latest crackdown

FIA under fire AGAIN: Controversial F1 decision 'clearly wrong'

Hamilton urged to curb ‘Oscar speech’ antics
F1 Standings

Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Pirelli Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
Grand Prix of Spain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Grand Prix of Brazil 2023
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860