Joining Red Bull is a significant occasion for any F1 driver, but the pressure Yuki Tsunoda faces this weekend is unprecedented. Without completing a single lap in pre-season, Tsunoda must acclimatise to the highly unpredictable RB21 and deliver a strong start on home soil.
With only a few tenths covering the field in qualifying, the 24-year-old has no margin for error.
Given that Liam Lawson failed to reach even Q2, Tsunoda would earn praise across the paddock if he can compete for the top 10 this weekend.
Despite the large challenge he faces, the Japanese driver believes he has done productive work in the simulator.
Yuki Tsunoda reveals extensive work with Red Bull engineers
Since Pierre Gasly’s departure from VCARB, Tsunoda has been the lead driver at the Faenza-based operation.
In addition to scoring the majority of the team’s points, he has also acted as an important baseline for new arrivals – from Liam Lawson to Daniel Ricciardo.
Tsunoda has developed a reputation for being highly competent at set-up work and optimising his machinery.
Considering the range of teammates he’s worked with, it can be of little surprise the 24-year-old has picked up various insights in recent seasons.
Red Bull are optimistic that his perspective can help unlock some performance from the RB21.
Should Tsunoda demonstrate an ability to navigate Red Bull’s 2025 challenger, he can give himself a platform to build upon this season.
Speaking to the media in Japan, he explained some of his initial conclusions about the RB21:
“Yeah, I mean, I just felt the car in the simulator.
“Obviously, I’m sure it’s not fully correct in terms of the trickiness of the car.
“But at least it didn’t feel crazy, crazy tricky.
“But at the same time, I could feel what the drivers were mentioning instability and driver confidence things,” Tsunoda added.
“I tried different set-ups, multiple set-ups I wanted to try to make it a little bit better.
“Actually, those two days were pretty productive, and at least I know now where I want to start.
“That seems to be also a good baseline for overall performance as well.
“So yeah, I think it was really really good simulator sessions.”
A strong start is essential
As is often the case in Formula 1, narratives can be established very quickly and take a long time to reverse.
The topic of Tsunoda’s team radio, for example, should have been relic from a handful of sessions in his rookie campaign.
However, his radio communication has persisted as a subject of focus for several years – despite his rarely consisting of anything extraordinary compared to other drivers.
In a similar fashion, a competitive start in Japan could give Tsunoda some much-needed breathing space for the next few rounds.
Provided he can demonstrate a clear step forward compared to Lawson and indeed Sergio Perez (by making Q3 and competing with other front-runners), he will cement himself as Red Bull’s best option for the foreseeable future.
Of course, like teammate Max Verstappen, he will be dependent on Red Bull’s development rectifying some of the RB21’s shortcomings.
Still, a solid start and decent points haul over the next few weeks could be pivotal in kick-starting Tsunoda’s Red Bull career.
He was relatively pleased after his post-season test in the RB20 last year, describing the car as relatively compatible to his driving style.
If this translates into Red Bull’s 2025 challenger, it will justify Christian Horner’s decision to promote him so early in the year.
