Yuki Tsunoda Makes Strong Impression in Red Bull Debut‍ at Japanese Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda’s first day ​driving ‌for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix has turned heads, with reigning champion Max Verstappen acknowledging‍ the rookie’s impressive start.

Tsunoda Shines in First Practice, Verstappen Cites​ Red Flag Chaos

Tsunoda, stepping in for ​Liam Lawson, quickly adapted to the Red Bull RB21 during the first practice session (FP1) at his home race in Suzuka, ​clocking a‍ time just one-tenth of⁣ a second behind Verstappen. However, the second practice (FP2) was heavily disrupted by‍ multiple incidents, including ‍a high-speed crash involving Jack Doohan, ​Fernando Alonso running into the gravel, and several grass fires, preventing drivers from completing meaningful⁤ qualifying⁢ simulations.

Despite the chaotic FP2, Verstappen noted Tsunoda’s promising performance. “I think yuki started off really well today, even though FP1⁣ and FP2 was very chaotic for everyone,” Verstappen stated, highlighting the challenges faced by ‍all ​drivers due to the⁢ numerous red flag stoppages.

Verstappen’s experimentation Hampered by Red Flags

Verstappen explained that Red Bull used the‍ Friday sessions to experiment with the⁤ RB21 after an emergency meeting was held to address ⁤the team’s underwhelming start to the 2025 season. ⁤However, Verstappen’s adjustments did not produce the anticipated results, and the red flags curtailed valuable track ‍time.

“It is ​quite tough to put the lap down: ⁢you need quite a lot of confidence and commitment around here and,⁣ at‍ the moment, I feel like I still ⁤have a bit of‍ work to do,” Verstappen admitted, emphasizing the need to improve his⁤ confidence on the track.

Tsunoda Acknowledges Simulator Differences, Remains Optimistic

Tsunoda acknowledged the differences between the simulator and the actual car, stating, “It’s a bit different ‍to ⁤the simulator from what I felt, to be honest.” He added, “A little bit more than I⁢ expected in terms of ‌the car feeling… it was a little bit more exaggerated in the real car. It’s feeling a bit⁢ more tricky.”

Despite the challenges, Tsunoda expressed confidence and optimism for the remainder of the weekend: “I think we can say today was okay, but it could have⁤ been better… it is indeed okay, and ⁤I am happy to ​have‌ confidence ⁣in the car.”

Tsunoda and the Red Bull team ⁢will analyze the data gathered ​before taking to the track ⁣for the final practice session ⁣and qualifying, hoping for cleaner running ‌to maximize their performance.

Considering ⁢Tsunoda typically⁤ drives for RB (formerly AlphaTauri), how‌ meaningful is the difference in driving a car like the RB21 compared to his usual vehicle, and what aspects presented the biggest adjustment ⁣for him?

Yuki Tsunoda makes Strong Impression in Red Bull Debut at​ Japanese Grand Prix – Q&A

Following Yuki Tsunoda’s impressive debut for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix, here’s a Q&A to clarify key points and add more ​context:

Q&A:

Who is Yuki Tsunoda, and‌ why is this a significant debut?

Yuki Tsunoda ‌is a Formula 1 driver, currently driving​ for RB (previously alphatauri). ⁣This debut ​is significant because he’s driving a‍ Red Bull car,one of the top teams,replacing Liam Lawson​ (who usually‍ drives for RB) for this ⁣particular event. This⁢ showcases his potential and ⁤ability to compete at ‍a higher level.

What car was Tsunoda ​driving?

Tsunoda was‍ driving the Red Bull RB21, the same car Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez drove in‍ the 2021 formula 1 season. The RB21​ was a ⁣dominant car, winning the Constructors’ Championship.

What happened during ‍the practice sessions?

FP1 saw Tsunoda perform well,finishing only a tenth of a second behind Max Verstappen. FP2 was heavily disrupted by red flags due ‍to incidents like Jack ⁤Doohan’s crash and ‌Fernando Alonso’s off-track excursion, limiting track time for all drivers.

Why were there so many red flags in ⁣FP2?

The red flags were due to several incidents: a high-speed crash involving Jack Doohan, Fernando Alonso running into the gravel, and multiple grass fires. ​These issues required track ​clean-up and safety checks, halting the session multiple times.

What⁢ did Max Verstappen say ⁢about Tsunoda’s performance?

Verstappen acknowledged Tsunoda’s strong start, despite the ‍chaotic conditions. He highlighted that Tsunoda showed ⁢promising performance and adapted⁢ quickly to the⁣ RB21.

What ‌were Red ⁢Bull’s goals for​ the Friday practice sessions?

Red Bull used the sessions to experiment with the car after an emergency meeting addressing the team’s underwhelming start to the 2025 season. They were trying to find the best setup ⁤for the ⁤car⁤ but were hampered by ‌the red ​flags.

How does Tsunoda feel about the car compared to the simulator?

Tsunoda noted that the‌ real car‍ felt a ‍bit “more exaggerated” than the simulator, making it slightly more challenging to drive. Though,he expressed confidence in its​ handling ⁢and expressed optimism for the rest of ‍the weekend.

What’s next for Tsunoda and Red Bull?

They will analyze the data‌ gathered during the​ practice sessions before the final practice session ‍and qualifying. They hope for a smoother‌ running session to maximize their performance and improve their lap​ times.

With Tsunoda’s performance⁣ catching everyone’s attention, keep an eye on qualifying ⁤and the race to see how he performs in the Red ‌Bull RB21.