Tsunoda finds Red Bull breakthrough with fifth in Qatar GP sprint qualifying

Yuki Tsunoda says he can "feel more confidence" in his Red Bull Formula 1 car after beating team-mate Max Verstappen to fifth in Qatar Grand Prix sprint qualifying.

Tsunoda took his highest qualifying position for Red Bull in what looks set to be his penultimate race weekend with the squad, as he is poised to be replaced by Racing Bull's Isack Hadjar for 2026.

But the Japanese driver isn't going down without a fight, and after showing improvements in Las Vegas, which were thwarted by a tyre pressure error from the team, Tsunoda confirmed his new-found confidence in the Red Bull RB21 with fifth in Losail's sprint qualifying session.

"So far, it's been a clean race weekend, pretty smooth, no issues in practice and qualifying so far," said Tsunoda, after qualifying ahead of team-mate Verstappen, who went for a different car set-up and was struggling with the handling of his car.

"I feel more confidence in qualifying. I just have to put it all together, there's three more sessions to go, but it's very important for the team. It's good that both sides of the garage are very focused and we try to give the maximum.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Dom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images

"But for me as well, I'm happy with the car and with my confidence. Obviously, there are some bits to go for tomorrow to find the extra tenths, but I'm excited."

When asked by Motorsport.com about Tsunoda's performance, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said: "If you look back to Las Vegas Yuki was already very close to Max, but we [chose] the wrong tyre pressure that put him out in Q1 and that ruined his race weekend. But his speed was consistently improving.

"Of course, he's improving his performance and he's more involved in the technical side."