‘I didn’t expect that!’ – Tsunoda reflects on dramatic Q3 crash in Budapest qualifying

The red flags flew for a second time in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix after a dramatic moment for RB’s Yuki Tsunoda – who wound up airborne after pushing too hard on the exit of Turn 5 at the Hungaroring.

Tsunoda’s stable mate Sergio Perez had already crashed his Red Bull a few corners further up the road in the opening segment of qualifying, bringing out the first set of red flags.

READ MORE: ‘It cannot happen again’ says Perez as he reflects on Budapest crash that caused fourth Q1 exit in six races

But having made it through to the final part of qualifying, an error from Tsunoda saw him slip off the slightly damp Hungaroring track and wham into the barriers – ending what, until then, had been a promising lap for the Japanese driver, who’s been one of the star performers so far in 2024.

“To be honest, I felt great in the turn – I didn’t expect that!” said Tsunoda. “I just ran wide to be honest… Probably because I was on the limit, it’s obviously Q3, and half of the tyre went on the grass – but to be honest with those kind of things, it normally happens.

“But probably because it was wet, it kind of exaggerated it and I went wide. To be honest, until that corner – I mean, even Turn 5, the lap was great so it’s [a shame].”

Asked how much damage there was to his car, Tsunoda jokingly replied: “To be honest, I’m more worried about the car rather than my body!

“Very, very a shame – I’m disappointed. I hope my car is good and obviously I feel bad for the team. I think that lap was enough to go through probably in a really good position.”

READ MORE: Norris bullish about victory chances after sealing pole in Hungary while Piastri predicts ‘fight amongst ourselves’

A strong performance by Daniel Ricciardo, meanwhile – which saw him set the fastest time of anyone in Q1 – meant that RB at least got two cars into Q3 at the Hungaroring for the first time since 2018, although the team now face a nervous wait to see whether Tsunoda can take up his P10 spot on the grid, one place behind Ricciardo.

“A weird session,” reflected the Australian afterwards. “I don’t know how I feel about ninth in the end. Obviously when you top one of the sessions, you feel like you could do a bit more, but obviously both cars in Q3.

“We’ve been quick really all weekend, so it’s nice to confirm that and keep it going and I firmly believe we can actually be even better tomorrow,” Ricciardo added. “I feel like if we’d got the [last lap in Q3], if it wasn’t red-flagged and we were able to push on the new tyre, I feel like we definitely would have been close to the Astons, so definitely there were a couple more positions in that.

READ MORE: Norris clinches pole ahead of Piastri and Verstappen during dramatic qualifying in Hungary as Perez crashes out

“But nonetheless happy that everyone’s okay, happy that we made it into Q3 and no complaints. No real complaints – probably sounds like I’m complaining, but nothing really serious to complain about!”