07/09/2025 06:30
Nico Rosberg has taken aim at Red Bull for the disparity in
performance between Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda, questioning
how the deficit can be so large. The Dutchman secured pole position
for the Italian Grand Prix, setting a lap record at Monza - and the
quickest lap in F1 history on average speed. His team-mate,
however, was only tenth-fastest at the Temple of Speed, setting a
lap time over seven-tenths of a second slower. The 2016 F1 drivers'
champion branded the delta between the pair "inexplicable" and
labelled Red Bull's seeming inability to remedy the issue "crazy".
The German highlighted the ongoing problem the Milton Keynes-based
squad has endured with its second seat, which has seen Pierre
Gasly, Alex Albon and Liam Lawson all fail to make the grade before
Tsunoda. Even Sergio Perez, who initially proved a considerable
improvement, eventually fell victim to the same fate alongside the
Verstappen. "This has been years now, and once again, Yuki is more
than seven tenths behind Max Verstappen," Rosberg told Sky Sports
F1 . "That's inexplicable. "I don't understand because Yuki is a
great... he knows how to drive a racing car. "How is it possible
he's just so far behind once again? It's crazy that they can't find
a solution to that." The Japanese does not have completely the same
specification of RB21 as the four-time F1 drivers' champion, but
Rosberg is adamant the pair should be more evenly matched. "I'm
hearing that his car is not 100% the same as Max Verstappen's, but
it's not seven tenths. Maybe it's a tenth or something. "Yeah,
poor. I feel for Yuki, because this is, again, a really, really
tough day."
