Tsunoda doesn't escape Rosberg's judgement in severe verdict

16:44, 30 Jul

byEstéban den Toom

Nico Rosberg notes that time is starting to run out for Yuki Tsunoda. In Belgium at Spa-Francorchamps, the Japanese did not finish in the points. The 2016 world champion sees that he is still far behind Max Verstappen in the World Championship.

“No, Yuki had a positive weekend because he qualified seventh, which was huge progress for him," Rosberg said on Sky Sport's podcast the F1 Show.

"He was much closer to Max. So I think that was a positive indication. And that was one of the first good things that Laurent Mekies, the new boss at Red Bull F1 did."

"To uplift Yuki Tsunoda's mood by showing that 'we really care for you as well,' giving him a thumbs up from the pit wall and a smile after qualifying. That was really nice to see,” the German analyst added.

As GPblog reported during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull Racing, since Mekies' integration to the team has received an influx of renewed energy.

Yuki Tsunoda is currently under a lot of pressure due to his performances at Red Bull Racing

The F1 clock is ticking for Tsunoda at Red Bull

Tsunoda started the Belgium Grand Prix from P7, but ended up out of the point-scoring positions due to a Red Bull mistake timing the pitstop of the Japanese driver.

Most of the field came in on lap 12, save for certain drivers like Lewis Hamilton who pulled the trigger on lap 11. Tsunoda, however, was called in much too late.

He received the message over the radio when he had already passed the pit lane entrance. It cost him quite a few positions, and he ended the race at P13.

So, no points again for the second driver of the Austrian team. Rosberg sees that time is starting to run out for him.

“But Yuki, yeah, I mean, the clock is ticking for him. He really needs to start delivering now and get some points on the board because it's unbelievable that he only has 10 points so far in the World Championship. That is unreal. That is so far off from Max Verstappen.”