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Biography and Early Career

Yuki Tsunoda was born on 11 May 2000 in Sagamihara, Japan. His passion for motorsport began at an early age when he started karting at the age of four, inspired by his father, who worked as a mechanic. Tsunoda quickly progressed through the domestic karting scene, earning national recognition and moving into single-seater racing in Japan.

In 2016, he joined the Honda Formula Dream Project, a driver development program designed to prepare Japanese drivers for international success. Tsunoda made his single-seater debut in Japanese Formula 4, immediately impressing with podiums and wins. In 2018, he claimed the All-Japan F4 Championship title with seven victories, securing support from Honda and an opportunity to race in Europe.

In 2019, Tsunoda joined the Red Bull Junior Team while competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Jenzer Motorsport. He gained valuable experience across European circuits before stepping up to Formula 2 in 2020 with Carlin. That season proved decisive, as Tsunoda earned three wins, seven podiums, and four pole positions, finishing third overall. His performances earned him the FIA Rookie of the Year award and promotion to Formula 1 with AlphaTauri for 2021.

Formula 1 Career

2021 – Rookie Season: Tsunoda made his F1 debut with AlphaTauri, scoring points in his first race at the Bahrain Grand Prix. While his raw pace impressed, consistency was a challenge, and he experienced several incidents in his rookie campaign. Relocating to Italy to be closer to the team’s base helped him improve, culminating in a strong fourth-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

2022–2023 – Development Years: In 2022, Tsunoda continued with AlphaTauri alongside Pierre Gasly. The car was less competitive under the new regulations, but Tsunoda showed progress with improved racecraft. After Gasly’s departure in 2023, Tsunoda became the de facto team leader, outperforming Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Liam Lawson across the season. Consistent points finishes, including P8 in Austin and Abu Dhabi, highlighted his growing maturity.

2024 – Visa Cash App RB: With the team rebranded to Visa Cash App RB (Racing Bulls), Tsunoda partnered Daniel Ricciardo and delivered his best season to date. He scored points in nine races, achieved multiple top-seven finishes, and comfortably led the team’s points tally, securing 30 points in total.

2025 – Promotion to Red Bull Racing: Tsunoda began 2025 with Visa Cash App RB as team leader alongside rookie Isack Hadjar. Following strong early performances, Red Bull Racing promoted him mid-season to replace Sergio Perez. This historic move made him the first Japanese driver to race for Red Bull’s senior team. Now partnered with Max Verstappen, Tsunoda is targeting podiums and aiming to cement his place in a front-running car.

Driving Style and Strengths

Known for his sharp reflexes and late braking, Tsunoda excels in overtaking and handling tight circuits. With strong defensive skills, Tsunoda is capable of holding off faster cars through composure and strategic positioning. The Japanese driver regularly extracts maximum performance in qualifying, with standout results such as a third-place start at the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. And over the years, he’s significantly reduced mistakes over time, becoming a dependable points scorer.