Since 2021, Yuki Tsunoda has been a driver for the Red Bull second team.
Yuki Tsunoda has no “strong feeling” that he wants to leave Red Bull’s second team RB, though as Aston Martin speculation continues he was not closing the door on it.
Tsunoda is having a fantastic season as a RB driver, boosting his points total to 15 with a commendable P10 finish at Imola, which also happens to be his team’s home race. This achievement marks his fourth top-10 placement in the past five rounds.
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Such form has seen Tsunoda mentioned as a possible candidate to step up to the main Red Bull team for 2025, though the Honda-backed driver is also being linked to Aston Martin, the team which the Japanese manufacturer will switch to for 2026 when the new generation of Formula 1 power units are introduced.
When questioned about the rumors by Channel 4, Tsunoda expressed his loyalty to Red Bull while recognizing the significant role Honda played in providing him with this opportunity.
Tsunoda stated, “To be honest, RB is performing excellently up to this point, so there’s not much I feel strongly compelled to express.”
“However, let’s see how things unfold. Undoubtedly, there are many factors at play, but my longstanding association with the Red Bull family has fostered a strong sense of loyalty within me. Additionally, Honda has played a significant role in enabling my journey to this point.”
“I really adore this team, you know, the Italian culture, they’re all so amusing. However, if I must consider alternatives, I am still open to them.”
Tsunoda’s progress in F1 2024 has been characterized by his newfound composed demeanor, which is a stark contrast to his previous fiery radio outbursts and high-risk approach on the track. This change is evident even in the early stages of F1 2024.
Tsunoda acknowledged that his self-control has significantly improved, resulting in him becoming a more consistent driver.
When Tsunoda was complimented on his apparent comfort this year, he responded by acknowledging that the improved car performance played a significant role. He mentioned that it allowed him to feel more at ease and confident, while he also acknowledged his personal growth and ability to elevate his performance.
To be honest, self-control is especially important. In the past, like when I was stuck behind Williams about two years ago, I would often lose control and press the radio in frustration. However, this year I have been able to maintain consistency and stay focused on what I’m doing. This has definitely contributed to my consistent performance.
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Tsunoda successfully executed the one-stop strategy at Imola, earning a point for RB on their home turf, which only enhanced the significance of the achievement.
When it was suggested to Tsunoda that he had to put in a lot of effort to earn that point, he responded by saying, “Absolutely, it was a challenging task to complete around 50 laps with the hard tyre.”
Honestly, I was expecting two stops, so I thought sticking with just one stop would be extremely difficult. However, we handled it well and I’m thrilled that we were able to earn points, especially in our home grand prix and particularly for those who came from the factory today. It’s a significant achievement, so yes, I’m very pleased.
If RB can maintain this course, Tsunoda envisions a potential challenge against the team he is being associated with. Aston Martin’s introduction of the upgraded AMR24 at Imola proved to be ineffective.
When asked about the suggestion that things are going well for him, Tsunoda responded, “Definitely. Although I don’t think I can consistently score points for five straight races, I believe I can constantly reset myself and maintain a sharp mindset.”
“But the positive aspect is that I am consistently contributing to the team’s score, which boosts our confidence for the upcoming races. Therefore, let’s continue our current efforts and aim to challenge Aston at some point in the future.”
RB sit P6 in the Constructors’ Championship and 24 points behind Aston Martin.
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