If someone told AlphaTauri that it’d leave the Mexican GP in P8 rather than P10, there’s a high possibility the team wouldn’t have believed it. There’s a high possibility no one would’ve believed it. But at the Mexican GP, AlphaTauri looked like it meant business. After what has been a really long time, it had the opportunity to secure a double-points finish. That was until Yuki Tsunoda ruined his and AlphaTauri’s chances.

Coming into the weekend, the Faenza team was confident of its chances. Daniel Ricciardo even mentioned how the team could be a top-10 contender. On Saturday, the Aussie all but proved it, with a stellar P4 in qualifying. While he couldn’t have done that without Tsunoda, he and AlphaTauri could’ve done without Tsunoda’s crash on Sunday. And the Japanese driver got called out by a Red Bull icon.

The Mexican GP was not kind to Yuki Tsunoda

On Saturday, Tsunoda’s job was to play the team game and help Ricciardo secure a good qualifying result. Why did he have to do that? Because of a back-of-the-grid start due to engine penalties. After helping Ricciardo secure that P4, he knew he had a tough job to achieve on Sunday. Considering AlphaTauri really did have a top-10 car in Mexico City, the Japanese driver was on a mission.

After starting 20th, he made his way through the pack, and after a Red Flag midway through the race, he found himself in P8 behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Once racing resumed on Lap 36 of 71, the fight for P7 was on. With Daniel Ricciardo running in P6, things were looking good for AlphaTauri. Tsunoda continued to close in on Piastri, but on one particular occasion, he got too optimistic. Going into Turn 1, he was alongside Piastri but turned in too early, and crashed into the McLaren. The maneuver sent him spinning out of the points.

Instead of trying to get back on track as quickly as possible, he punched the air in frustration. Looking at this, Red Bull icon David Coulthard shared his thoughts. He said, “He’s got to own full responsibility for that. And the fact that he was punching the air in frustration rather than getting on and getting back in the race just shows me where his mind’s at. You need to calm down.”

Read More: “I Would Like a Bit More Attention”: Yuki Tsunoda Claps Back at Red Bull Amid Daniel Ricciardo’s Return Hype

Tsunoda needed to bring the car home in the points today, but he ruined it for himself and AlphaTauri. Apart from ruining his chances in the race, his crash wouldn’t have reflected too well on his status in the team either.

Ricciardo may have gotten the upper hand on Tsunoda at AlphaTauri now

Ricciardo finished the Mexican GP in P7 after starting P4. While he may have dropped positions, it’s a spectacular result for a car that’s arguably one of the slowest on the grid. Where did Tsunoda finish? P12. After starting 18th, gaining 6 places doesn’t sound too bad. But considering he was in the running for points and messed up when the team was counting on him doesn’t look too good.

Before Ricciardo joined the team, Tsunoda was the undisputed No.1. After the Aussie came to AlphaTauri, he needed to prove himself. Competing in only his third race weekend in 2023 at the Mexican GP, Ricciardo couldn’t have staked his claim on No.1 any better. While Tsunoda did play a part in Ricciardo’s qualifying performance, the Aussie stayed consistent throughout the weekend. The best part? He secured the team’s best result of the season.

WATCH THIS STORY | Daniel Ricciardo’s billion-dollar F1 dream in jeopardy

Daniel Ricciardo flourished but Yuki Tsunoda didn’t. He delivered when Tsunoda couldn’t. What do you make of AlphaTauri’s Mexican GP?