F1 fans are all asking the same question as Yuki Tsunoda outqualifies Max Verstappen for Qatar Sprint

Follow us on Google Discover

Yuki Tsunoda outqualified Max Verstappen for the very first time during the Sprint shootout in Qatar, and F1 fans all have the same question ahead of Saturday’s race.

With a decision regarding Yuki Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull being made at the conclusion of this weekend’s proceedings, the Japanese driver may have picked the best possible opportunity to find his rhythm at the wheel of the RB21.

Tsunoda secured P5 on the grid for the final Sprint race of the season in Qatar, with Max Verstappen only managing to set a time worth P6.

The two Red Bull drivers will be lining up alongside each other before the lights drop on a weekend where Max Verstappen needs to outscore Lando Norris in order to keep his title dreams alive.

• READ MORE: Oscar Piastri takes Qatar Sprint pole ahead of George Russell as Max Verstappen struggles

F1 fans question whether Red Bull will enforce team orders on Yuki Tsunoda during the Qatar Sprint

Tsunoda’s superiority in qualifying saw an influx of comments from avid Formula 1 fans, who all have the same question regarding whether Red Bull will enforce team orders upon the drop of the lights in Saturday’s shorter-format race.

Both of Verstappen’s title rivals will be starting ahead of him, meaning that the natural move would be for the Japanese driver to let him pass at the earliest opportunity. The prospect of it has F1 fans scratching their heads.

One user on Reddit commented, “Does Yuki get immediate team orders? He’s finally outqualified him, just to have to get out of the way instantly.”

Another fan posted on X, “This is great for Max, they’ll swap positions tomorrow so Max doesn’t lose the points.”

Some users touted the prospect of Tsunoda deliberately not listening to the team orders, given the high probability that he will be losing his seat anyway, with one Reddit user writing, “If Yuki is losing his seat anyway, what will he lose if he doesn’t let Verstappen by on team orders?”

One fan believes there’s no question at all about the process he will be told to follow, writing, “A little too late, and a pretty much pointless result still behind both McLarens. He will need to let Max pass on the start anyway.”

Another believes the skill of Verstappen will see him ahead of the Japanese driver at turn one, regardless of whether there is some orders in play, they wrote, “Yuki is definitely being team-ordered to let Max pass, right? Granted, it may not be needed after turn 1.”

Finally, one Reddit user highlighted the fact that it’s quite the result for Tsunoda, but is overshadowed by the fact that he may have to concede his spot to Verstappen, commenting, “Yuki’s best chance at a decent result, and he will be forced to immediately give it up.”

• READ MORE:

Max Verstappen shared his ire with the setup of his RB21 after the conclusion of Sprint qualifying

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in the media pen after Saturday’s grid was finalised, Verstappen walked through the issues that he experienced during the shootout.

He said, “Not good from the first lap. Just really bad bouncing and very aggressive understeer that would shift into oversteer in the high-speed [corners].

“Just not what you want to go fast. We were locked in. We tried to change a few things on the wheel, but it never really worked, so it made it quite tricky.

“We changed a few things, but it wasn’t working well, so it’s something we need to understand.”

In regards to his chances during the Sprint race, the four-time world champion said, “With this balance, it will not be a lot of fun. It will be more about trying to survive, I gues,s and make some changes going into qualifying.”