Qualifying for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was halted when Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull RB21 spun through Tamburello and pitched into the barriers upside-down at the Villeneuve chicane.
Marshals red-flagged the session instantly as the Japanese driver’s car showered debris across the racing line.
Driver walks away
Tsunoda emerged unaided and headed to the circuit medical centre for precautionary checks, later giving a thumbs-up to cameras.
“Thankfully, Yuki has been checked and released from the medical centre after undergoing precautionary checks,” Red Bull told fans on X.
Health update reassures paddock
Team sources confirmed no fractures or concussion were detected, allowing Tsunoda to fulfil press obligations and prepare for Sunday’s race.
The 25-year-old thanked doctors and track workers, admitting the crash “looked worse than it felt” from inside the cockpit.
Qualifying ruined
Because the incident occurred before he had logged a representative lap, Tsunoda will start last on the grid.
Imola’s narrow layout means even a points finish now appears “a mountain to climb,” he conceded.
Season of swings
Tsunoda has scored just six of Red Bull’s 105 points in 2025, struggling to match team-mate Max Verstappen’s relentless consistency.
Prior to Imola, his best result was seventh in Shanghai; crashes in Bahrain and Miami had already put him under scrutiny.
Verstappen keeps pressure on rivals
Verstappen secured a front-row start alongside polesitter Oscar Piastri, demonstrating the RB21’s raw pace once dialled in.
The Dutchman noted post-session that overtaking “won’t be easy” but praised mechanics for rebuilding Tsunoda’s chassis overnight.
Technical analysis of the flip
Early telemetry suggests a rear-axle lock as Tsunoda downshifted for Villeneuve, unsettling the car on cold tyres.
Engineers will inspect the differential and rear-brake migration settings, though initial data points toward driver-induced oscillation over the kerbs.
Psychological reset
Chief engineer Paul Monaghan urged Tsunoda to “park the memory” of Saturday and focus on a damage-limitation race featuring alternative tyre strategy.
That could mean starting on hard rubber and hoping for an early safety car to vault into traffic-free air.
Track challenges ahead
With only a single DRS zone and grass beyond kerbs, Imola punishes aggression.
Still, recent resurfacing has improved grip, and cooler Sunday temperatures may expand strategic windows for those prepared to gamble.
Wider safety conversation
Tsunoda’s escape reinforced the value of Halo protection and updated FIA crash-test requirements introduced for 2024.
Commentators noted the car’s survival cell stayed intact despite the violent roll.
Looking forward
A clean run and data-gathering stint could restore confidence before Monaco, another venue where qualifying missteps haunt drivers.
Team boss Christian Horner said Tsunoda “remains very much part of our future plans,” dismissing speculation about mid-season driver changes.
Conclusion
While the crash dominated headlines, the swift medical clearance turned potential tragedy into a relief-laden talking point.
Now Tsunoda must convert that reprieve into a composed recovery drive to silence critics and steady his roller-coaster campaign.