The seventh race of the 2025 Formula 1 season at Imola took an unexpected and dramatic turn when Yuki Tsunoda experienced one of the scariest moments of his young career.
The Japanese driver, who recently got promoted within the Red Bull team, lost control during qualifying in a frightening crash that flipped his car completely upside down.
Tsunoda’s Terrifying Flip on Track
Tsunoda’s accident happened at the Villeneuve chicane when he pushed too hard on the kerb.
His car spun backwards at high speed, slammed into the tyre barrier and catch fence, and then flipped over 360 degrees before finally settling in the gravel.
It was a heart-stopping moment for everyone watching.
Thankfully, the protective halo device around Tsunoda’s cockpit played a critical role in keeping him safe, especially since he was bounced headfirst towards the ground.
Medics quickly attended to him and after thorough checks, Tsunoda was confirmed to be uninjured and ready to continue.
Qualifying Session Paused for Repairs
The crash caused a lengthy 15-minute delay as officials cleared debris and repaired the damaged barriers.
The incident brought the qualifying session to a halt, giving fans and teams a tense pause to breathe and assess the situation.
Pressure on Tsunoda in a Challenging Season
Tsunoda has faced a tough time since stepping into his new role at Red Bull, replacing teammate Liam Lawson early in the season.
While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen continues to dominate, Tsunoda has struggled to find consistent form, and this crash marked a low point in his campaign so far.
Former driver and commentator David Coulthard described the crash as a result of Tsunoda being “more aggressive than usual” at a tricky corner.
Meanwhile, former mechanic Marc Priestley highlighted just how violent the crash was, noting the extensive damage to the car and track barriers.
Other Drama in Qualifying
The drama at Imola didn’t stop with Tsunoda. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, on his debut for the team, also crashed out during the first qualifying session but thankfully emerged unscathed.
His exit added to an already chaotic and unpredictable qualifying round.
As the teams regroup, all eyes will be on Tsunoda to see how he bounces back from this frightening moment and whether he can improve as the season progresses.