Max Verstappen plays unfortunate role in shock Yuki Tsunoda exit

02/05/2025 16:53

Yuki Tsunoda was dumped out in SQ1 of Miami Grand Prix Sprint qualifying, after confusion involving team-mate Max Verstappen.  With seconds remaining on the clock, Tsunoda was in 17th place, needing to find time to make the second segment, but as team-mate Verstappen pulled wide at the final corner, Tsunoda hesitated, unsure as to what the world champion was going to do.  Tsunoda eventually passed and floored it to the line, but missed the flag by about one second to leave him 18th on the Sprint grid.  Tsunoda had locked up and run wide during the first laps in SQ1, meaning he had the poor lap-time. The Japanese driver was joined in the elimination zone by Lance Stroll, a furious Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoleto and Oliver Bearman.  Doohan was unhappy with Alpine releasing both himself and Pierre Gasly at the same time.  Up front, the segment was topped by George Russell from Kimi Antonelli and Alex Albon.