Red Bull timing error costs Tsunoda in US GP sprint qualifying

Yuki Tsunoda was eliminated from the opening phase of sprint qualifying at the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on Friday after a Red Bull timing error left him unable to start a final flying lap, the team and driver said. The miscalculation saw Tsunoda miss the chequered-flag line before the session ended and consign him to 18th on the sprint grid.

Red Bull sent Tsunoda out as one of the last cars in SQ1 with under two minutes remaining on the clock, but he radioed the garage during the outlap to report he would not make the start-finish line in time. Several cars left the pits late in an attempt to optimise traffic and tyre temperatures, and a pack-up on track and at the final corner prevented a number of drivers from beginning their timed laps. Tsunoda, who exited the pits behind Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson, slowed briefly to allow Charles Leclerc to pass and reached the final corner as the chequered flag fell.

"I don't know what's happened," Tsunoda said after the session. "The timing of the garage exit was not even close. Something went wrong and we didn't have any opportunity to do a lap time, so it's a shame. It's very frustrating because it's not...