Yuki Tsunoda Reflects on Red bull Stint, Expresses Regret Over Leaving VCARB
Yuki Tsunoda is navigating a pivotal moment in his Formula 1 career as he prepares to depart Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2024 season. He recently shared candid thoughts on his time with the team, his brief promotion, and the car he feels most connected to – the VCARB (formerly AlphaTauri). His reflections reveal a driver grappling with missed opportunities and a growing sense of self-belief.
A Challenging Transition to Red Bull
Tsunoda’s move to the senior Red Bull team ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix was initially intended as a temporary fill-in for Daniel Ricciardo, who was sidelined due to an injury. Though, Liam Lawson’s performance in the interim didn’t quite match the blistering pace of max Verstappen, leading to tsunoda’s possibility. Ultimately, Tsunoda’s performance in the notoriously demanding Red Bull car wasn’t enough to secure a permanent seat for 2026, and he will be moving on to RB (formerly AlphaTauri) in 2025.
Despite the outcome, tsunoda maintains a nuanced outlook. He acknowledges his struggles adapting to the Red Bull chassis but believes his performance relative to Verstappen wasn’t as stark as the results suggested.
Regret Over leaving the Developed VCARB
Interestingly,Tsunoda’s biggest regret isn’t necessarily the loss of the Red Bull seat. Instead, he expresses a deep connection to the VCARB and a sense of loss over missing out on further progress of the car he helped refine.
“The only regret I have is missing out on that pretty good f—ing car in the VCARB,” he stated. He described the car as feeling like “throwing away your kids, your baby,” emphasizing the years of collaborative work invested in its development.He feels a strong sense of ownership, believing his “DNA” is embedded within the car’s design.
Closing the Gap with Verstappen
Tsunoda believes a fairer comparison to Verstappen emerged when he had access to the same car specification. He points to the latter half of the season, where qualifying times showed a meaningful narrowing of the performance gap.
Here’s a breakdown of his perspective:
* Qualifying Performance: While frequently enough trailing Verstappen in Q1, Tsunoda notes he was frequently within four to five tenths of a second.
* Competitive Times: Once equipped with an identical car,he felt consistently competitive with the reigning world champion.
* Personal Growth: He’s proud of his rapid advancement and ability to adapt to the high-pressure habitat at Red Bull.
He recognizes Verstappen’s established expertise and dominance, but he’s also pleased with his own progress. “Max has been here for years now,” tsunoda explained. “he knows about this car, a lot of things. Obviously, I can’t deny that he’s the best driver on the grid but at the same time, I’m happy that I’m able to catch up quite quickly at this level myself.”
Looking ahead
Tsunoda’s reflections demonstrate a driver who is maturing and gaining confidence. While his Red Bull experience didn’t pan out as hoped, he’s taking valuable lessons from the challenge. You can expect a determined Tsunoda returning to RB, eager to capitalize on his familiarity with the car and continue his development in Formula 1. he’s clearly focused on maximizing his potential and proving his worth in the years to come.
This season has been a learning experience, and he’s ready to apply those lessons as he moves forward in his career. He’s a driver to watch, and his future in F1 remains bright.