Tag: Yuki Tsunoda

Tire test with Red Bull is an opportunity for Tsunoda – Horner

Yuki Tsunoda’s outing for Red Bull in the Abu Dhabi tire test this week is an opportunity for him to prove himself amid uncertainty over Sergio Perez’s future, according to team principal Christian Horner. Perez appears set to leave Red Bull as both …

Yuki Tsunoda’s outing for Red Bull in the Abu Dhabi tire test this week is an opportunity for him to prove himself amid uncertainty over Sergio Perez’s future, according to team principal Christian Horner.

Perez appears set to leave Red Bull as both sides look to reach an agreement over his contractual situation, following a disappointing season in which he finished a distant eighth in the drivers’ championship. With Red Bull reserve driver and Formula 2 racer Isack Hadjar taking part in the young driver test on Tuesday and Tsunoda set to carry out tire testing duties, Horner says both have a chance to impress as the latter makes his first appearance in a Red Bull.

“We have Hadjar doing the junior test for us, and Yuki doing the Pirelli tire test,” Horner told SiriusXM. “It’s a great opportunity for Yuki to work with the engineering team and get a run in RB20.

“As you well know, any time you sit in a Formula 1 car it’s an opportunity to prove yourself. It’s a good opportunity for Yuki, it’s a great opportunity for Isack, so let’s see.”

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Horner says both Tsunoda and RB teammate Liam Lawson are in the frame if Red Bull does replace Perez next season.

“I think Liam, in challenging circumstances, he’s done a very good job,” Horner said. “If you analyze what he’s done and in the time that he’s had and the race pace that he’s had, I think he’s done a good job.

“I think Yuki has done a good job. So in the event that anything were decided with Checo, [they] would be the candidates.”

While admitting there are discussions taking place relating to Perez’s future, Horner says his overall contribution to Red Bull since 2021 should not be overlooked.

“Look, it’s tough for Checo. He’s been a great team member and he’s had a really tough year. We’ll reflect on that after this weekend, but you’ve got to feel for him again, retiring from a race that he wanted to finish the season at least on a high. But you’ve got to look back on the years that he’s done with the team, the five victories, the second in the world championship last year — he’ll always be a big part of this team.

“We’ll reflect on what happened this year and how we move forward.”

 

Tsunoda ‘nearly got sent home’ on U.S. arrival for Las Vegas GP

RB driver Yuki Tsunoda says he “nearly got sent back home” by customs officials when trying to enter the United States for this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. Formula 1 is racing in the United States for the third time this season, following …

RB driver Yuki Tsunoda says he “nearly got sent back home” by customs officials when trying to enter the United States for this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Formula 1 is racing in the United States for the third time this season, following earlier events in Miami and Austin — the latter just a month ago. However, Tsunoda says he was questioned for a number of hours by border control, having faced no issues entering the country for previous races.

“Luckily they let me in after a lot of discussions — I nearly got sent back home,” Tsunoda said. “But yeah, we had a discussion and everything’s all good now.

“I had the visas and everything; it’s been the same as I guess the last three tracks, right? I was able to enter smoothly for the previous [races], so it felt a bit strange that I got stopped. Hopefully that will sort things and in the future it will go smoothly.”

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Tsunoda says his grasp of English made the situation challenging because he believed he wasn’t allowed his trainer alongside him when being questioned, and could not seek help from his RB team either.

“There was my physio I travel with; obviously when you have a question or when you go to customs you go individually. Suddenly I went to the room, he just put me in the room and we had a conversation like, ‘Can I bring the person that I travel with and maybe he can help a little bit to explain a bit more about myself and the situation in Formula 1?’ But they didn’t allow me to bring that friend or even call anyone.

“I wanted to call the team as well or Formula 1, maybe a person that can help me, but in that room you can’t do anything, so just [on your own].”

 

Ricciardo defends Tsunoda, Perez after crashes

Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez were both defended by Daniel Ricciardo after their crashes in qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Perez was first to go off with a heavy crash at Turn 8 during Q1 – ensuring he will start no higher than 16th on …

Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez were both defended by Daniel Ricciardo after their crashes in qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Perez was first to go off with a heavy crash at Turn 8 during Q1 — ensuring he will start no higher than 16th on Sunday — before Tsunoda (pictured above) ran wide at Turn 5 and was launched into the barrier in Q3. Ricciardo says his RB teammate’s crash was mainly down to the punishing track layout on the outside of that corner, with what he believes were small moments having significant outcomes.

“I have not seen Checo’s yet — I saw the aftermath, but I honestly don’t even know what corner he went off on,” Ricciardo said. “So I haven’t seen that one. I just saw Yuki’s now. So a few of us on Thursday — the few that do a track walk — saw that the edge drops a lot. And we thought if you drop off a wheel there, it’s going to just skateboard and do literally what it did.

“So there’s just no margin for error on that corner. It was a big one. I mean, I saw him get out, so I think he’s OK, but obviously it’s completely destroyed the car. So I don’t think that is the nicest kind of run-off that they’ve created for us.

“Look. we’re pushing, it’s Q3. I’m not making an excuse for Yuki but that corner you just have no margin. You drop a wheel there and it’s game over. So that was that. And then Checo’s, I know that was probably when it was still a little bit damper, and these conditions you’ve got to send it and put it all on the line and small mistakes obviously have big consequences.

“So there’s a lot of pressure on, not only us as Red Bull right now but everyone in that situation. So everyone has moments but when you cross the line sometimes you’re just like, ‘Thank you!’”

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The focus on both drivers was due to speculation surrounding Perez’s future, with Red Bull understood to be set to analyze the situation during the summer break. With Ricciardo himself looking uncertain to remain with RB, he says he had given the next two rounds added importance.

“I haven’t been told anything, but I’ve told myself if I can do it, go fast. You’ve got two races to give it hell. And that’s honestly not even with the idea of moving up, it’s even just trying to lock something in for next year.

“I intentionally came into the weekend telling myself that these two races could be two of the most important of not only my season but potentially my career. They haven’t specifically said anything to me but I’ve said enough to myself.”

For his part, Tsunoda thinks it was a combination of aspects that led to him going off track when on another occasion he could have continued with his lap.

“I felt, ‘Why didn’t it turn?’” Tsunoda said. “I didn’t feel like I was going to run wide there. Probably because I was on the limit in Q3, half of the tire went on the grass, but probably because it was wet it kind of exaggerated it and went wide.

“Until that corner, the lap felt great. I’m sorry because everyone in the team and myself deserve a higher position for all the work we’ve done. The car felt great, and the lap was solid, and I reckon it could’ve put us in a great position for tomorrow.”

Perez won’t let future talk be a distraction

Sergio Perez says he can’t allow speculation surrounding his future become a distraction for him ahead of the final two races before the summer break. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has openly stated that Perez is under pressure, having …

Sergio Perez says he can’t allow speculation surrounding his future become a distraction for him ahead of the final two races before the summer break.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has openly stated that Perez is under pressure, having scored just 15 points across the past six race weekends and slipped to sixth in the drivers’ championship. The form has led to an understanding that the situation around Perez will be analyzed during the August shutdown if there is not an upturn in performances, but the 34-year-old says his focus needs to be on the upcoming rounds.

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“I know where I am, in terms of contract and that sort of thing,” Perez said. “That I cannot let be a distraction because I need to focus on the next two weekends, which are the priority and work together with the team to get out of this difficult period.

“It’s a good time to have a bit of a break and get back to form hopefully for Hungary and Belgium, two very important races.”

Perez stepped aside for Isack Hadjar in FP1 at Silverstone and then was eliminated in Q1 after spinning off track in changeable conditions. After a race where an early gamble for wet weather tires backfired, the Mexican says it’s the early practice work that will be crucial to any turnaround.

“I think, looking back at it, we had one of the best Fridays in a while,” he said. “So I think there is some light out of the tunnel. At the same time, it is a very disappointing race, but I am also aware how much we can consider this race. Other than that, just making sure we are in a ballpark with the balance, try to make preparations we need for Friday and then we will be a lot better.”

Where there is further uncertainty surrounding Perez is in the lack of a standout candidate to replace him should Red Bull make that choice, with Horner still relatively reserved about Yuki Tsunoda’s potential, despite him getting the better of Daniel Ricciardo so far this season.

“Yuki is a Red Bull Racing driver, he’s on a Red Bull Racing contract, and we re-signed him because he’s been performing well,” Horner said. “So we’re very aware of his performances.

“I think Yuki’s doing a good job. He scored another point [at Silverstone], he’s stringing weekends together, he’s doing a good job. I think he’s benefitted from having Daniel alongside him, I think he’ll openly admit he’s learned from Daniel in terms of having an experienced driver and how they interact with the team and the engineers. And Yuki’s not a rookie anymore, he’s got quite a lot of experience now under his belt and you can see he’s putting that to good use.

“You never know, maybe he’ll get a test one day … You can never rule anything out. Yuki, we have options for multiple years on him because we believe that he’s a talent.”

Tsunoda apologizes after heavy fine for offensive language

Yuki Tsunoda has apologized for using offensive language on team radio at the Austrian Grand Prix, after being fined heavily by the stewards. The Japanese driver was unhappy at being stuck behind Zhou Guanyu in the pit lane during Q1 on Saturday, …

Yuki Tsunoda has apologized for using offensive language on team radio at the Austrian Grand Prix, after being fined heavily by the stewards.

The Japanese driver was unhappy at being stuck behind Zhou Guanyu in the pit lane during Q1 on Saturday, and used an ableist slur over team radio to show his frustration, saying: “These guys are f***ing re****ed”.

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The stewards summoned Tsunoda after qualifying and discussed the matter with him, giving him a €40,000 ($43,000) fine – of which half is suspended for the rest of the season – but stating he was “horrified” when he learned what the term meant in English.

“I wanted to say big apologies what I said in the radio,” Tsunoda wrote. “Obviously I didn’t use it intentionally and was completely misunderstanding from myself that exact meaning of it. I now have 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.”

Tsunoda’s apology was one he had offered to make when discussing the matter with the stewards, who said they were keen to enforce that the language was not acceptable.

“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,” the stewards’ decision read.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

RB takes up option to keep Tsunoda for 2025

Yuki Tsunoda will stay with RB in 2025 after the team exercised an option to retain the promising Japanese driver for a further season. Sergio Perez’s contract extension at Red Bull had closed the door on a promotion for either Tsunoda or teammate …

Yuki Tsunoda will stay with RB in 2025 after the team exercised an option to retain the promising Japanese driver for a further season.

Sergio Perez’s contract extension at Red Bull had closed the door on a promotion for either Tsunoda or teammate Daniel Ricciardo, and Tsunoda had been linked with vacancies at both Haas and Stake if he were to leave the Red Bull outfit. On Thursday, however, the 24-year-old suggested there were options that meant he might not be free to choose his next move and it has now been confirmed he will remain with RB, as the team confirms it has “taken up the option on our agreement” with Tsunoda.

“I’m very happy to be staying with Visa Cash App RB and it’s a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year,” 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. The team has a big development project ahead and I’m excited to be part of it.

“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 of my best and that’s what I’ll continue to do with VCARB.

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“For the moment, I’m concentrating on the remaining races this season, with the aim of bringing home as many points as possible, always growing with the team, laying the groundwork to do even better next year!”

Team principal Laurent Mekies welcomed the news, speaking in glowing terms about the progress that Tsunoda has made in 2024 after a run of five point-scoring finishes in the past six races.

“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.

“We continue to get a better understanding of what he needs from us and vice versa, so we are progressing together, Yuki as a driver and the team, as Visa Cash App RB. We share the same ambitions, so there are several good reasons to continue our journey together. He still has a lot to give!”

Ricciardo angered by Tsunoda’s ‘immaturity’ after close call

Daniel Ricciardo was left angry by Yuki Tsunoda’s reaction to team orders that nearly saw the Visa Cash App RB drivers collide after the Bahrain Grand Prix. Tsunoda was unhappy that he had been told to let Ricciardo through late in the race, with …

Daniel Ricciardo was left angry by Yuki Tsunoda’s reaction to team orders that nearly saw the Visa Cash App RB drivers collide after the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Tsunoda was unhappy that he had been told to let Ricciardo through late in the race, with his teammate on soft tires and Kevin Magnussen just ahead of the pair in 12th place. Ricciardo failed to make further progress, but on the cool-down lap Tsunoda locked up heavily overtaking the Australian into Turn 8, and then swerved back onto the circuit, coming extremely close to making contact with Ricciardo.

On team radio immediately after the incident, Ricciardo described Tsunoda as a “[expletive] helmet”, but then said he’d save his criticism.

“I don’t know, I came on the radio and was trying to stay cool,” Ricciardo said afterwards. “A bit of immaturity, let’s say that.”

The 34-year-old says the team had already discussed the potential for him to need to be allowed to pass Tsunoda given their difference in strategies.

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“I’m being very sensible right now, but let’s call it immaturity. He’s obviously frustrated with the team orders call. But let’s be real, this is something we talked about before the race. It was very likely I was going to use a soft at the end of the race.

“So he knew that there was a chance that I would have a pace advantage at the end and if he gets the call, then it’s going to happen.

“He’s not giving me points, we’re fighting for 13th, so at least give us the best chance to get at least one car in the points. It’s a long year and we need to make sure we’re all good, so we’ll go back, have a meeting and be very mature about it, and look forward to Jeddah.”

Ricciardo says he would have given Tsunoda the position back at the end of the race too if asked, given the lack of points on offer, but was frustrated that the Japanese driver hadn’t heeded the team order when it was first given.

“Whether I’m 13th or 14th, I don’t know if any driver cares about that but I don’t,” Ricciardo said. “So if the team said let him back by before the finish line, I would’ve done it because it means nothing to me. Unless we’re in the points, who cares?

“I think if you’re in a points position, if he’s letting me by for ninth, he’s tenth or whatever, then you maybe swap again if I can’t get eighth. But in that situation I guess it didn’t matter. So look, it’s race one of 24. Yes, there was a little bit of conflict today, but I don’t want that to set the tone. I think we talk about it now in the briefing, honestly, and hopefully once he’s calmed down, he can say, ‘OK, yeah, I should’ve moved a lap earlier.’”

Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda predicts blowout Super Bowl win by Christian McCaffrey

Pre Super Bowl challenge: Find a bigger Christian McCaffrey fan than F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3L6wiGvtZ3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Good luck finding a bigger Christian McCaffrey fan than Formula 1 race car driver Yuki Tsunoda.

The Visa Cash App Red Bull F1 driver in an interview on the NFL’s Instagram answered virtually every question with “Christian McCaffrey,” including a 50-0 final score prediction in favor of McCaffrey and the 49ers. He also said the 49ers’ RB is the player he’d most trust to drive his car.

It’s unlikely his score prediction will come true, but a big day for McCaffrey would give his 49ers win prediction a real chance to come true.

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VCARB 01 breaks cover in Las Vegas

The first car under the new Visa Cash App RB name – the VCARB 01 – has been revealed at a lavish event in Las Vegas. The former AlphaTauri team has been rebranded under the ‘Racing Bulls’ moniker this season, with Visa and Cash App joining forces as …

The first car under the new Visa Cash App RB name – the VCARB 01 – has been revealed at a lavish event in Las Vegas.

The former AlphaTauri team has been rebranded under the ‘Racing Bulls’ moniker this season, with Visa and Cash App joining forces as title partners. Due to Visa’s partnerships with the NFL and the Super Bowl being held in Las Vegas on Sunday, the team launch took place on Thursday night on the iconic Strip.

The VCARB 01 showcases the team’s new identity, that has aspects of the former Toro Rosso colors due to the blue and silver elements, but white and red additions stand out in the design.

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In contrast to Alpine’s launch a day earlier, the team did not offer too much detail in terms of the technical developments made to the car over the winter, although aspects of the all-conquering Red Bull design can be seen in the sidepods. VCARB is taking a number of components from its parent team where permitted in the regulations.

Drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda were joined by the team’s CEO Peter Bayer and new team principal Laurent Mekies who replaced Franz Tost at the end of last season. Also present was the team’s F1 Academy driver Amna Al-Qubaisi, while F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also made an appearance.

While the team name has not been universally welcomed, Ricciardo says fans are overlooking the importance of sponsors to a team.

“Let me say this, people have to understand one thing,” Ricciardo told RACER. “They say ‘Ah, the name, what is that? Why would you call it that?’ All these things. It’s like, you understand what partners do, right? They pay money, to support the team, to help us go forward, and therefore they can call it whatever they want! Quite frankly, their support is awesome and I love it! So I’m totally fine with the name, I love it. That’s how it works!”

In its former guise of AlphaTauri, the team finished eighth in the constructors’ championship last season, recovering from a slow start that saw it score just five points in the opening 17 rounds to finish strongly and end up with 25 points in total, three adrift of Williams in seventh place.

Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda confirmed for AlphaTauri in 2024

AlphaTauri isn’t making any changes for its 2024 lineup.

Scuderia AlphaTauri’s lineup has gone through some turbulent changes in 2023, but the Formula 1 team officially set its driver pairing for 2024 over the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

The team announced that Japanese driver [autotag]Yuki Tsunoda[/autotag] and Australian driver [autotag]Daniel Ricciardo[/autotag] will make up their driver lineup for 2024. The two are technically teammates at the moment, but Ricciardo broke his wrist in practice at the Dutch Grand Prix and is currently healing while New Zealand driver Liam Lawson is filling in for him on the grid.

Tsunoda, who was brought to F1 as a part of Red Bull’s driver academy, has spent his entire career at AlphaTauri. He joined the team in 2021. So far, he’s scored 47 career points with the team in 56 race starts — his best finish in F1 came during the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he finished fourth.

Ricciardo, meanwhile, has been in a number of seats on the F1 grid. He came back to Red Bull after a previous stint there from 2014-18 in 2023 after leaving McLaren at the end of 2022, and he wasn’t expected to return to the grid this year. He was promoted midseason, however, when AlphaTauri driver Nyck De Vries was released from the team after a string of poor performances. Ricciardo had just two races in 2023 before breaking his wrist, finishing 13th at the Hungarian GP and 16th at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The performance from both drivers in 2024 could have implications for Red Bull’s second seat, which has been discussed more frequently as driver Sergio Perez has not performed to standard so far in 2023.

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