F1 News: Yuki Tsunoda Reveals Immense Damage From Sergio Perez Crash
Yuki Tsunoda has disclosed the significant damage he sustained from a first-lap incident with Sergio Perez during the Singapore Grand Prix. The early clash with the Red Bull driver curtailed Tsunoda's race, further dampening his hopes after a recent series of misfortunes.
Key Takeaways:
- Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez collided on the first lap during the Singapore Grand Prix, leading to considerable damage on Tsunoda's AlphaTauri.
- Despite the promising pace exhibited during practices and teammate Liam Lawson's P9 finish, Tsunoda's race ended prematurely due to the accident.
- This marks the second consecutive race Tsunoda failed to complete a lap, having encountered issues on the formation lap at the Italian Grand Prix.
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During his post-race interview with the press, Tsunoda delved into the details of the unfortunate encounter with Perez at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
"I had a good start and it is a shame how it ended up, it's frustrating.
"The sidepods are completely gone after the contact. There was a loss of aero and loss of grip on the [right] hand-side [meant I had to retire]. At least the car pace was good [throughout practice].
"I feel bad and sorry for the team because I couldn't extract performance, but I'll just have to bounce back strongly in Suzuka."
Tsunoda's recent misadventures on the track underscore a challenging season. The collision with Perez at Turn 5 resulted in severe aerodynamic disruption, leading him to retire shortly after. His early exit from the race was a hard pill to swallow, especially after witnessing the potential the AlphaTauri showcased throughout the weekend. Liam Lawson, Tsunoda's temporary teammate, managed to navigate the demanding track and secured a ninth-place finish.
This incident adds to Tsunoda's recent spell of bad luck, having not even completed a racing lap in the previous race at Monza. However, with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka around the corner, Tsunoda remains hopeful for a comeback, aiming to capitalise on the home advantage.
