Yuki Tsunoda sets two axes of progression to try to go to Red Bull

Four years ago, Yuki tsunoda arrived at Alpha Tauri with the label, acquired in the promotional formulas, of a driver as fast as volcanic. A rough diamond, that Franz Tost had to polish to make him a natural candidate to join Red Bull in the following years. Four years later, the Japanese is still in Faenza, in the B stable of the Winged Bull, and has never had his chance alongside Max Verstappen.

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However, the Kanagawa native has established himself, year after year, as the leader of the team that became Racing Bulls. The departure of Pierre Gasly The end of 2022 allowed Yuki Tsunoda to free himself and teach a lesson to his successive teammates: Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson. If the latter finally got the second Red Bull seat, it is because he was judged more able to accept being dominated by Max Verstappen. The Kiwi being for the moment more mature in the minds of the Red Bull leaders, Tsunoda hopes to show in 2025 that he has calmed down while continuing his rise in power.

Yuki please, it's a pit lane not a catwalk 😮‍💨#F1 #VCARB pic.twitter.com/F3lb9BnUHk

— Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team (@visashapprb) February 22, 2025

Tsunoda wants to improve his communication

"I hope that my fifth season in Formula 1 will be a continuation of the previous years, continuing my progression." assures number 22. “I intend to improve further, to be a more complete driver, especially in two areas: communication and my consistency. I would say that applies not only to the way I approach races, but also outside of the race itself. We lacked consistency last year. The car could be good on one track, but very different on the next.”

The 2024 season was difficult for Racing Bulls, who only scored 46 points, including 30 for Tsunoda alone, who carried his team, but is not satisfied with the final result (12th in the drivers' championship, Racing Bulls 8th in the constructors'). “Of course there were races where I felt I could have done better, but in general we also lacked a bit of in-season development compared to our closest rivals. We made up for it at the end, but it wasn’t enough. Ideally we need a good start to the season, like last year, but then we need to make sure we continue to develop the car during the season. I think that’s the key to progress.”

The 3rd of F2 for his first season in 2020 will team up with Frenchman Isack Hadjar, vice-champion in the antechamber of the premier class in November 2024, who also hopes to eventually secure his place at Red Bull. For Tsunoda, if the doors of Milton Keynes remain closed once again at the end of the season, it could sound the death knell for his F1 adventure with the Winged Bull, but other F1 teams will undoubtedly keep an eye on him in the meantime...

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