USA Today via Reuters
Oct 24, 2021; Austin, TX, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Lewis Hamilton (44) of Team Great Britain leads Red Bull Racing Honda driver Max Verstappen (33) of Team Netherlands at the start of the United States Grand Prix Race at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 24, 2021; Austin, TX, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Lewis Hamilton (44) of Team Great Britain leads Red Bull Racing Honda driver Max Verstappen (33) of Team Netherlands at the start of the United States Grand Prix Race at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
On Saturday, the Red Bull F1 team was not particularly happy, especially after the Mercedes 1-2. This was because, a mistake from Yuki Tsunoda led to Sergio Perez getting a little unsettled and ruining his own lap. Due to the ensuing yellow flag, poor old Max Verstappen was unable to get a competitive final lap. In response, Red Bull team principal mockingly said that they got ‘Tsunoda’d’.
This led to criticism of Red Bull from some fans on the social media website, Twitter. To pour more salt into their wounds, their heated rivals, Mercedes, liked some of these fan posts.
After recent remarks from Horner about my man @yukitsunoda07 I am now rooting for @MercedesAMGF1 to win the constructors
— Cameron (@Cameron45983011) November 7, 2021
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Many fans were not happy that the Austrian team were so quick to condemn Tsunoda. In fact, there were a fair number of declarations that they would become Mercedes fans. Another fan said, “I think this qualifying session has shown on full display the nasty side of Red Bull. Horner jabbing ‘we got Tsunoda’d’. Max ‘stupid idiot’ towards his team mate. Max not getting pole and being bitter ‘well I think P3 is better anyway’. There’s not an ounce of grace among them.”
What can Mercedes and Red Bull do now?
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For the moment, both teams will be focusing on their Mexican Grand Prix races. Red Bull will likely be eager to salvage their reputations and smooth things over with their drivers. This is far more crucial for the likes of Yuki Tsunoda, as he is still young, and it is important to not demoralize him.
Cant believe how toxic Red Bull are absolutely shocking to throw someone under the bus who isn't your golden boy!
My heart goes out to @yukitsunoda07 as this was absolutely shocking!
So much respect to @MercedesAMGF1 to showing kind words of encouragement to Yuki ❤ #MexicoGP
— JerryLee (@JerryLe00998527) November 7, 2021
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As he insisted, there was nothing more that he could have done. In a way, he was right, as mistakes can happen in high-pressure situations. Truthfully speaking, Perez’s mistake was much bigger, especially since he got distracted by the AlphaTauri driver going wide. However, the Mexican driver did not receive too much heat from the team.
READ MORE: Proof: Why Yuki Tsunoda Wasn’t the Villain in the Red Bull Q3 Fiasco
