đź“· Autosport
Yuki Tsunoda, the young Japanese driver, is getting a big opportunity to shine with Red Bull Racing. After joining the team earlier this month for the Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull is giving him extra testing to help him get comfortable with their tricky Formula 1 car, the RB21. This move shows how much the team believes in Tsunoda’s potential to perform alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Why Extra Testing?
Tsunoda stepped into Red Bull’s main team after just two races in the 2025 season, replacing Liam Lawson. With back-to-back races in Japan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, he had little time to learn the RB21, a car known for being tough to drive.
Unlike the car he drove at Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, the RB21 has balance issues that make it a challenge for anyone who isn’t Verstappen.
To help Tsunoda adapt faster, Red Bull has planned a special testing program. After the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Tsunoda will spend a day in the team’s simulator in Milton Keynes, UK, and then drive the 2023 RB19 car at Silverstone.
The RB19, which won 21 out of 22 races in 2023, isn’t the same as the RB21, but it’s a great tool for Tsunoda to experiment with setups and build confidence without the pressure of a race weekend.
Tsunoda’s Progress So Far
Tsunoda has already shown promise. In his first race with Red Bull at Suzuka, he struggled in qualifying but learned a lot during the race, completing 54 laps that helped him understand the car better. In Bahrain, he scored his first points for Red Bull with a ninth-place finish, proving he can deliver despite the car’s challenges. However, he admits he’s not fully in control yet, saying, “I’m still rushing and not fully relaxing driving this car.”
Red Bull is happy with Tsunoda’s feedback, which is key for improving the RB21. His ability to explain what the car needs has impressed engineers, and this testing program is designed to make him even better at it.