AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda says a call to the weighbridge “f**ked everything” in his pursuit to advance into Q2 during Silverstone’s Friday qualifying session.
The weighbridge, which randomly selects cars throughout the grand prix weekend as they enter the pit lane, saw Tsunoda remain stationary for 52 seconds as he pitted for fresh tyres.
As he emerged back onto the race track, he set a push lap, before having to hurry during his cooldown lap prior to a second attempt.
In the final sector, he was forced to wait in a queue consisting of the Ferrari drivers and McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, crossing the line with 10 seconds to spare.
Tsunoda’s effort was not enough to improve and advance out of Q1 – he is set to start Saturday’s Sprint from 16th place.
“The weighbridge f**ked everything,” Tsunoda said. “The end was really tight and I couldn’t do much [of a] proper cooldown lap.
“Also the last corners, a lot of cars [were] waiting, I lost already three-tenths in the main straight. I almost regained the three-tenths through the lap but the loss I already had in sector one, the main straight [was too much].
“And also I couldn’t do a proper cool-down lap. It’s just a shame.”
Tsunoda added that he is feeling more confident behind the wheel of the AT02, despite his early-session drop-out.
“I would say the second lap time, even [if] it was not a perfect lap due to the traffic, I started to get used to it, the driving.
“I start to feel confidence. It feels like I can start now, but it’s already finished in Q1. Everything is f**ked from the weighbridge, and last corner traffic.”
Tsunoda’s team-mate Pierre Gasly was eliminated in Q2 and is scheduled to start Saturday’s 17-lap race from 12th.
