Метка: Yuki Tsunoda

How Tsunoda’s «P1» gamble was ruined by F1’s red flag rules

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Yuki Tsunoda believes he would have led the Brazilian Grand Prix had the safety car and subsequent red flags not been called for at Interlagos.

The Japanese driver was one of a select few to opt for a switch to extreme wet tyres as rain pelted the Sao Paulo circuit, with he and team-mate Liam Lawson at one stage lapping faster than those around them by almost five seconds per lap.

Watch: Can Anyone Challenge Max Verstappen? Your F1 Questions Answered

But with others trying to brave it out on intermediates as the deluge got heavier, race control had no alternative other than to send the safety car out on track, a neutralisation that became a full red-flag stoppage once Franco Colapinto had crashed his Williams catching up to the pack after a pitstop.

Tsunoda, who was running third before his pitstop, lost out with F1’s rules allowing for free tyre changes under red flag conditions and would eventually finish eighth on the road – a result that was upgraded to seventh courtesy of a 10-second penalty for McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who had earlier punted Lawson into a spin at Turn 1.

«I think what we did, switching to extreme, that was good,» explained Tsunoda.

«Just the safety car and the red flag came out, that was the point that went very down. If the red flag didn’t come out, probably I would, at some point, have overtaken a lot of cars and maybe [been] P1, but it just didn’t come towards us.»

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Lawson also scored points as RB locks into a fight for sixth in the constructors’ standings, albeit losing ground to double podium-scoring Alpine.

Having stressed the importance of the result for the Faenza-based team, Tsunoda added: «It wasn’t easy conditions. If you lose concentration, [it can have] a lot of consequences.

«I enjoyed the last stint, good fight with Oscar [Piastri]. I tried to be within 10 seconds. You know, could have done a lot of things wrong, but kept it clean and tried to score P7, which is good.»

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Lawson’s «mega» Austin return to push Tsunoda to higher level, says RB

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Liam Lawson’s impressive Formula 1 return at the United States Grand Prix will force Yuki Tsunoda to step up another gear, says RB team boss Laurent Mekies.

Lawson was brought back for the final six races of the 2024 season as Red Bull weighs up its options for the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen for 2025 and beyond.

Incumbent Sergio Perez has not been consistent enough to help Verstappen and Red Bull defend their constructors’ championship lead thus far so, despite the Mexican having a two-year deal, Red Bull could yet opt to make a change at any time.

Daniel Ricciardo was brought into its satellite RB squad as a potential replacement but failed to convince Red Bull, leading to the Australian’s departure from Austin onwards.

Tsunoda now has another challenger in the form of Lawson, who made an impressive start to his second F1 stint after a five-race cameo in 2023.

Lawson made a statement by taking third in Saturday’s Q1, setting a faster lap than Tsunoda managed during the entire qualifying session, and then recovered from a grid penalty to move up from 19th to ninth in the race as the only RB to score points.

Lawson’s weekend was dubbed «just about perfect» by team boss Mekies, who says it was a reward for the New Zealander’s 12-month long efforts behind the scenes to be ready to grab his chance with both hands.

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, RB F1 Team, Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, RB F1 Team, Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

«It’s a mega impressive weekend,» Mekies told Autosport. «We are very, very happy for him, because you don’t get there by luck, you don’t get there also just with talent.

«You think back to the full year that he has been doing in the engineering office, watching the onboards, watching the data, the hours in the simulator, the very little occasions to actually run the car. And you have to give him credit for the amount of hours he has put in it with little return.

«He was certainly 100% ready to jump in the car, so well done. It was already a mega statement in Q1, we thought that could be the statement of the weekend.

«But then a faultless race, the right pace. There is not much more you can ask, honestly. It’s just about the perfect start.»

There was no evidence of Lawson’s racecraft being rusty either, given the aggressive way he defended against Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in Saturday’s sprint seemed to rattle the Spaniard.

«I think also that was refreshing, he was already not overthinking things and just defending his positions in the right way — that’s what you want to see with this sort of guy,» Mekies said.

«Not only has he not been driving in a race in a year, but also he has never been driving here in Austin.»

Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524

Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Lawson’s performance also seemed to tickle Tsunoda, who was frustrated at the 22-year-old’s reverse one-stop strategy — starting on hard tyres instead of mediums — landing him ahead of his Japanese team-mate after the pitstops, before Tsunoda dropped to 14th.

Asked if he understood Tsunoda’s frustration, Mekies replied: «Of course. It’s not every day that an overcut happens.

«Obviously, the reverse strategy worked very well — certainly, for Liam, also for [Williams’ Franco] Colapinto. They took some risk on the strategy.

«Obviously, it’s a call that is easier to make when you are starting at the back, but it worked particularly well.

«The race was more frustrating for Yuki because of a bit more time in traffic, and it’s always difficult when you are eighth in the first stint to find yourself outside of the points.»

After easily getting the better of Nyck de Vries and Ricciardo, Lawson looks set to be Tsunoda’s fiercest challenger yet as they vie for a potential Red Bull promotion.

«It is absolutely an opportunity for him to reach another level,» Mekies agreed. «Again, it’s exactly what we want, two team-mates that push each other, and one is going faster in this corner, one goes faster in this other corner, and they both are able to put in very consistent laps.»

Having two drivers firing on all cylinders will be necessary for RB to see off the much-improved Haas team, which outscored the Anglo-Italian squad and is now leading the race for sixth place by two points. After going down the wrong update path over the summer, its latest upgrades in Austin appear to be working as the fight looks set to go the distance.

«We have run with two different set-ups, so there is a lot to learn through the new updates, which seem to work,» Mekies added.

«In Barcelona, we had this update that didn’t work and it sort of stopped our season. It took us some time to understand the roots of it, and it’s probably the first time since Barcelona that we actually managed to get the car to behave differently.

«Hopefully, there is more potential in it. We are leaving here two points down on Haas, who also did a fantastic job with their cars this weekend. But it gives us good confidence that we can take up the fight with Yuki and Liam for the final five races.»



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Exclusive: Tsunoda will be considered for Red Bull promotion if he keeps performing

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Yuki Tsunoda remains in consideration for a Red Bull Formula 1 team promotion if he consistently delivers, according to RB CEO Peter Bayer.

In June RB announced Tsunoda would remain at the team for 2025 and in recent weeks he’s been overlooked for a Red Bull spot with Sergio Perez’s place under threat as he underperformed.

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With the Red Bull organisation planning to keep both Perez and Daniel Ricciardo at their respective teams for the foreseeable future, next year’s line-ups will take focus, particularly if Perez is unable to solve his poor form.

Bayer has said Tsunoda will be an option for Red Bull if he performs at a consistently high standard.

“Helmut [Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor] said it himself, in German you say a swallow doesn’t make a summer,” Bayer told Autosport. “What it means is that if Yuki keeps racing on this level consistently, he will be considered for a seat in Red Bull Racing.

“That’s ultimately exactly our mission and the mission we’ve been given by the shareholders, and if that means that he needs another season next to a very strong Daniel, that could be an option.

“It could also be an option [to] say that, okay, we now believe he’s ready. So [then] we’ll talk to Liam [Lawson]. We’re not in a hurry, despite all the people [who] think we are, because we do have all the options in our hands.”

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team talks with Peter Bayer, CEO of Visa Cash App RB after his crash during qualifying

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team talks with Peter Bayer, CEO of Visa Cash App RB after his crash during qualifying

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

RB team principal Laurent Mekies has rated Tsunoda’s improvement in his fourth year in F1 as “phenomenal” and has admired his ambition to move up to Red Bull.

“You expect a lot of things from a young guy between the first and the second year, maybe between the second and the third year,” Mekies said. “But you don’t expect that sort of phenomenal step between third and fourth, so — yes, he’s faster. Yes, he’s calmer. Yes, he’s better integrating the team, better feedback, hopefully happy!

“But seriously, he has been a reference point in the way that he gets out of the garage on Friday FP1 — and, bang: the first lap, he is there.

Mekies added: “Yuki is a Red Bull driver. He must have the ambition to drive for Red Bull Racing. If he doesn’t have that — it’s wrong.

“I hope and I trust that he wants more than anything else to drive that car to win races. We also try to help him developing him in that way. So that’s what the business is.

“Was he fully happy to extend with us to drive for us next year? Yes, [and] it’s a question for him but because what he tells us is that he is mega ambitious, he can see a team [that] is mega ambitious and the fit is obviously working.

“It helps him develop, he has paid us back with quite [an] incredible level of performance.”

Additional reporting by Filip Cleeren and Jonathan Noble



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Tsunoda has everything to make next step in F1

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Daniel Ricciardo reckons his RB Formula 1 team-mate Yuki Tsunoda has the ability to succeed in Formula 1, and believes the Japanese driver simply needs to prove he can execute when winning opportunities come his way.

Tsunoda has proven himself as RB’s de facto team leader over 2024, his fourth season in F1, but has been overlooked by Red Bull’s management as it considered Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo as options to replace Sergio Perez at the lead operation.

Regardless, he has matured over the past two seasons and has subsequently delivered strong results for the AlphaTauri/RB squad despite 2023’s struggles with uncompetitive machinery.

Ricciardo now believes that Tsunoda is being looked upon much more favourably, noting his growing maturity and consistency over their year as team-mates.

«I think now he’s definitely getting probably the credit that he deserves,» Ricciardo stated in an exclusive interview with Autosport.

«Probably a lot of people still think about his first year where he made a lot of mistakes, and it felt like his adjustment into Formula 1, it just felt like maybe he couldn’t really adjust and it was all a bit too much.

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

«[In 2021 and 2022, Pierre] Gasly was consistently beating him, but then I remember the second half of that year, he actually started to probably have a better showing than Gasly.

«He’s definitely grown a lot in the last couple of years. So yes, he’s fast. Do I rate him? I do. He’s probably become a bit more aware of his attitude as well. I think he’s doing a really good job.»

Discussing Tsunoda’s prospects of delivering in the event that he ends up in a position with frontrunning machinery, Ricciardo felt that it was difficult to show that in advance — but reckoned that Tsunoda just needed to make the most of his ability.

The Australian compared that with Lando Norris’ attempts to win in 2021 and suggested the Briton did not have the experience to make it work out back then.

«I think [Tsunoda has] grown a lot in the last few years, and I think is showing some really good pace and skill,» he added. «I think he’s showing more consistency now.

«You just don’t know what happens when it’s the next [level], and I even look back at Lando in Monza. I won, he was second. The next race he was on pole, he was leading.

«In that moment the experience and the composure of Lewis [Hamilton] won him that race and lost Lando the race. Maybe three years ago, that was maybe a little bit too much for Lando.

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M , Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M , Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

«You just don’t know until you’re in that position if someone can really do it. We’ve all got the speed, but it’s like when the lights are fully turned up, who can still make those decisions and stay most composed.

«Yuki has to answer that in due time, but my answer is definitely not no. I do think he’s got the ability, but that part is up to him.»

Gasly, who partnered Tsunoda at AlphaTauri in 2021-22, understood his frustrations to be overlooked by Red Bull — and said that he had offered his former stablemate some sage advice.

«I always said Yuki is very fast. I’ve seen it. He’s been proving it the last couple of seasons and he’s going to keep proving it,» Gasly said.

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«So obviously it can be quite frustrating for him. But I talked with him about this, we’ve had the conversations and I know he wants more and feels like he deserves more.

«I’ve been in a similar position to him in the past and what I kind of say, ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing, as long as you’re competitive, you’ll be given the right spot at some point’.

«But it’s not an easy position to be in. Personally, I would have liked to see him getting a shot at Red Bull — but I’m not Helmut Marko.»

Additional reporting by Oleg Karpov



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I’m a more complete driver

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Yuki Tsunoda says he is now ready to fight at the front of Formula 1, saying he’s a «more complete driver now» in his fourth season with RB.

Tsunoda has always shown flashes of speed but in the past, his fiery temper has often let him down, with the Japanese admitting getting his emotions under control was key to his future; not only to achieve a better level of consistency but also to be considered for the pressure cooker that is Red Bull’s main team and the difficult seat alongside world champion Max Verstappen.

But Red Bull team principal Christian Horner doesn’t appear convinced Tsunoda has the steel to withstand that pressure just yet, with the 24-year-old never truly considered to replace Sergio Perez yet if necessary.

It was announced in June that Tsunoda would remain with RB for a fifth season in 2025, although Red Bull’s driver line-ups typically remain fluid.

Red Bull’s loss has thus far been its sister team’s gain, with Tsunoda’s speed and steady form alongside a more inconsistent Daniel Ricciardo turning him into a highly appreciated and key component of the Anglo-Italian outfit.

After another step forward in performance this season, Tsunoda is not shy to stake his claim for Red Bull promotion.

«I feel I’m a more complete driver,» Tsunoda told Autosport in an exclusive interview.

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

«When I look from an outside perspective, previously, even [though] my one lap or performance or my driving was okay, I think the radio communications, emotional control was lacking quite a lot — a big step when I compare to Daniel, for example.

«If you want to go to a top team, those things will be very important because top teams are expecting a more complete driver.

«So I wanted to improve those things and to be a more complete driver so that no one can complain about the specific things. Now I feel ready, the last couple of races I was able to achieve those things.

«I believe in myself and I am finding more control, more consistency. I’m very happy that I am able to hit the target every time. This what I have to do, just focus on that rather than having to focus on rumours or whatever.»

While enjoying support from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, Tsunoda is hoping another consistent second half of the season can sway other voices within Red Bull.

«They know my performance and they are happy with my performance,» insisted Tsunoda, who has been responsible for 22 of RB’s 34 points so far this season.

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«That’s why they extended my contract for next year, so it’s pretty clear. I just have to keep performing, keep making them happy consistently and, hopefully, things will come naturally.

«I just keep focused on what I can do but obviously, I’m feeling ready to fight against higher positions and teams, and also fight against Max. But they have to decide.»



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‘Horrified’ Tsunoda fined for using slur in F1 Austria qualifying

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RB Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda has been handed a 40,000 euro fine for using offensive remarks during Austrian Grand Prix qualifying.

Towards the end of Q1 at the Red Bull Ring Tsunoda was overtaken in the pitlane by Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu, and responded by saying “these guys are f***ing retarded” over his team radio.

The remarks were brought to the attention of the FIA’s race stewards, who have handed Tsunoda a 40,000 euro fine for breaching the governing body’s International Sporting Code.

Half of the fine is suspended for the rest of 2024, provided no more similar infractions happen.

In the verdict, the stewards said Tsunoda was apologetic during the hearing and that he didn’t fully realise that his language was inappropriate, but the stewards still deemed him to be breach of the code.

In their verdict, the stewards wrote: “During Q1 when car 22 was queuing in the fast lane and another car blended into the fast lane ahead of him, the driver was heard to make a statement over team radio using offensive language.

“During the hearing the driver was very apologetic and explained that because English is not his first language he was unaware until after the session what the meaning of the words used is in the English language.

“He said that he was horrified when he learned this. He contended that his understanding of the words was different, but acknowledged that this should not be considered as an excuse for what he did.

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

“The stewards appreciate the honesty of the driver, but reinforce the fact the words used are offensive and wholly inappropriate.

“To have used such words over a platform that is available to the public amounted to misconduct as defined in Article 20 of the International Sporting Code.”

Because Tsunoda was candid and apologetic, and offered to apologise in public, the stewards decided to convert half of the fine into a suspended penalty.

“Considering the circumstances, the stewards determine that a severe fine is required, but also take into account the genuine remorse of the driver and his offer to issue a public apology and for these reasons decide to suspend part of the fine imposed,” they wrote.

Article 20 of the ISC defines verbal misconduct as “the general use of language… that is offensive, insulting, coarse, rude or abusive and might reasonably be expected or be perceived to be coarse or rude or to cause offense, humiliation or to be inappropriate”.

Tsunoda soon posted that apology on his Instagram account, writing the following statement: «I wanted to say big apologies [for] what I said in the radio today.

«Obviously I didn’t use it intentionally and was completely misunderstanding from myself that exact meaning of it.

«I now have a better understanding for what the word means and am very apologetic for what I said. This type of language has no place and is not tolerated and for that I am sorry.»

He will start the Austrian GP from 14th position after being eliminated in Q2.



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​Red Bull might not take Yuki Tsunoda seriously yet, but RB does

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Tsunoda was labelled a fast but slightly inconsistent hothead upon his F1 arrival in 2021 at the tender age of 20, going viral because of his expletive-laden radio messages.

But with it being easier to calm a fast driver down than it is to make a consistently average driver faster, both the team and Tsunoda’s Honda backers kept supporting him as he matured into a tidy, well-rounded racer. Aboard an uncompetitive car, he delivered his best season to date in 2023, proving right outgoing team boss Franz Tost’s adage that a young driver needs three seasons to properly adjust to F1.

As the team morphed from AlphaTauri into RB or VCARB, the now 24-year-old appears to have found another level that his much more experienced team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, an eight-time grand prix winner, has found hard to match.

As RB proved more competitive than last year, Tsunoda has so far consistently reached Q3 and scored points on five occasions, to the point where his off-track excursion in a wet-to-dry Canadian Grand Prix is now considered out of character.

But despite ramping up his performance levels, there has never appeared to be any serious momentum to promote Tsunoda to Red Bull’s main team, with Ricciardo brought back to RB to be an insurance policy if Sergio Perez failed to meet requirements.

And with Perez re-signing on a two-year deal, despite a tough recent spell in Imola, Monaco and Canada, it seems like Tsunoda’s career is stalling for reasons beyond his control.

Red Bull’s strong man Christian Horner appears unconvinced Tsunoda can be the calm and harmonious presence alongside Max Verstappen that he wants, although team advisor Helmut Marko has kept the door open for a promotion in the future, suggesting Tsunoda clicked into gear a little too late to be considered for 2025.
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

«He has to continue to perform like he does now. Let’s see what the future brings then,» Marko told Autosport. «His development is really good, although it came a little bit later than we expected, but he is now a top driver I would say.»

«This is the first season in which Yuki is consistently fast and he is controlling his emotions, which was his biggest problem before.

«To be fair to him, he had always flashes of speed, but this year besides the China race he is consistently fast. Of course, it is changing his profile.»

Tsunoda understandably looked a bit frustrated when asked to respond to Perez’s contract renewal, a day before his staying put at RB was officially announced.

«Obviously, I’m already committed to Red Bull a lot and hopefully I can have a bit more commitment from them,» he said.

«There’s an ongoing discussion and I want to make sure first of all we’re on the same page with Red Bull after that we’ll see. But I’m happy with RB.

«Even these two years [Perez] has to still perform and in this kind of environment, anything can happen.

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

«So congratulations to him, but for me, I just keep focusing on what I’m doing and just proving myself.

«Hopefully, Red Bull will see more of my progress and my potential performance and maybe [it] can change in the future.»

For 2025 Tsunoda’s fate was in Red Bull’s hands, with it taking up an existing option to keep him on the roster.

His options elsewhere looked limited too. He was mooted as being on Audi’s shortlist should it not secure Carlos Sainz or its other targets. 
He was also linked to Aston Martin purely through his Honda link, with the Japanese manufacturer becoming Aston’s works engine partner in 2026. But that would depend on Lance Stroll deciding to call time on his F1 career, which looks very unlikely right now. 

But with RB the standout performer in 2024’s midfield, nipping on the heels and even overtaking Aston Martin on certain circuits, perhaps Tsunoda’s best move was to stay where he is all along.

Backed by new sponsors Visa and CashApp, the Anglo-Italian team is looking to evolve into more than just Red Bull’s B-team in both identity and performance.

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01, Alex Albon, Williams FW46, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01, Alex Albon, Williams FW46, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

It has tweaked its driver philosophy, now pairing an experienced driver with an up-and-coming talent rather than being a pure junior team. And with Daniel Ricciardo yet to deliver on a consistent basis, it appears Tsunoda has now moved from the second to the first category and become that experienced pair of hands the squad is happy to build around.

Speaking to Autosport, team principal Laurent Mekies said keeping hold of Tsunoda for a fifth season in 2025 was «key for the project» the former Ferrari man is building.

«He has been doing a phenomenal step this year, which went well beyond our expectations. We were expecting a step but in a fourth year doing such a step change is very impressive, both in terms of pace and outside of the car.

«[His progress] is 360 degrees. It’s not just maturity. The pure speed takes steps, the dialogue with the engineers takes a step, the calmness takes a step.

«It is a superb feeling to witness that and it’s also our responsibility to ask ourselves the question: ‘How many steps like that does he still have inside him?’

«We have to make sure that we create the environment for him to develop them and that’s our task for the next months and next year. It has become crucial for the project and natural to continue with him.»

Mekies said he understood any frustrations at being snubbed by Red Bull, and admitted that if Tsunoda continues progressing at his current rate, he might be «difficult to ignore» for Red Bull or rival teams next year.

Peter Bayer, CEO, RB F1 Team, Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, RB F1 Team, during the drivers parade

Peter Bayer, CEO, RB F1 Team, Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, RB F1 Team, during the drivers parade

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

«Look, he’s a Red Bull driver, so he needs to have the ambition to go to Red Bull Racing,» Mekies added.

«He has it, and he’s doing everything he can to prove that. He’s ambitious, we are ambitious. We are pushing each other.

«If he does another step like that next year, he will be difficult to ignore for anyone.»

But until that day comes, Red Bull’s loss is RB’s gain. Red Bull might not fully trust Tsunoda yet, but his current team certainly does.



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RB announces Tsunoda to stay for F1 2025

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With Sergio Perez signing a new deal at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, Tsunoda saw his slim chances of being promoted to the main team vanish, and the Japanese driver was widely expected to remain at RB instead.

The Anglo-Italian outfit has now confirmed it has taken up the option to keep the long-time Red Bull junior and Honda protege at the squad for the 2025 season, which will be his fifth with the team since making his F1 debut in 2021.

«I’m very happy to be staying with RB and it’s a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year,» 24-year-old Tsunoda said.

«For that, I want to thank everyone at Red Bull and Honda who have played such an important role in my career and will continue to do so.

«It’s great to know that everyone appreciates all the hard work I have put in and that the team believes I can help it move further up the grid. We have already made clear progress this season and that really motivates me to always give my best.»

Tsunoda has been one of the standout drivers in 2024 as he matured into a steady performer to match his natural turn of speed.

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Thus far he has scored 19 points to hold 10th in the drivers’ championship, almost single-handedly keeping RB in sixth position of the constructors’ standings.

While team-mate Daniel Ricciardo’s long-term future remains unclear, as Red Bull also has reserve driver Liam Lawson waiting in the wings, retaining Tsunoda was a no-brainer for team boss Laurent Mekies.

«I watched Yuki’s progress in Formula 1 with interest even before I returned to Faenza and it’s been impressive, year after year,» Mekies said.

«The step up he has made this year is simply phenomenal, and he keeps surprising us all, race after race.

«There’s no doubting his natural speed to which he has now added a much more mature approach and this combination makes him a very quick and consistent performer, and a great team player.»

Team CEO Peter Bayer added: «Yuki is a graduate of both the Red Bull and Honda junior driver programmes and it’s thanks to a good job from all parties that he’s been able to reach his current level of performance.

«He is a valuable asset on and off the race track, as his engaging nature has made him very popular with fans around the world. We are excited that he is staying with us.»



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Tsunoda has made a «huge step» in F1 2024

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Tsunoda scored seventh in last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, cementing RB’s sixth position in the constructors’ table after team-mate Daniel Ricciardo scored fourth in Saturday’s sprint.

While Ricciardo had been struggling to get up to speed this year in the VCARB01, Tsunoda picked up the baton as the team’s lead driver over the first five races of the season, grabbing six points in Australia and a hard-fought point on home soil in Japan.

And while the team had been hard at work to make Ricciardo more tuned into the car [link to Mekies Ricciardo story], team boss Mekies praised Tsunoda for making major progress in his fourth season.

«Yuki has made a huge step this year. In fairness, he made a step between year one and year two, year two and year three. And I think the step he is making now between year three and year four is massive,» Mekies told Autosport.

«You see a driver now that is able to not only have the raw speed, which we knew, and he elevated it even more now. But he can execute weekends with absolutely zero mistakes from FP1 to the race.

«It was the case in Australia, it was the case in Japan. And it was not far from that in Miami, to be honest.

Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, on the grid

Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, on the grid

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

«He has made a massive step forward and I think there is more to come, so we are working very hard to make sure we develop an environment where he is able to make these steps. We are very impressed with his work.

Beyond executing error-free weekends, Tsunoda also impressed with his more level-headed demeanour this year, which was a key area to work on after some of the fiery radio messages that punctuated his first years in the series.

«He is getting better [dealing] with the low points,» Mekies acknowledged. «China was a good example, he approached it in a rational way and we analysed together and he hit the ground running in Miami.

«So yes, it’s a big step forward. It’s played a massive role in our current success and we think there is more to come.

«You can also hear it on the radio. He is improving inside and outside the car.»



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