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Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda has always been known for his raw speed and fiery temperament. However, an incident during last year’s season opener in Bahrain proved to be a turning point in his Formula 1 career. Frustrated over a late-race position swap, Tsunoda expressed his discontent by making a reckless move on his then-teammate Daniel Ricciardo while cars returned to the pits.
His sarcastic team radio message, “Yeah thanks guys, I appreciate it,” only added fuel to the fire.
Ricciardo, usually composed, snapped back: “What the f*** is wrong? I’ll save it... f***ing helmet.”
A Moment of Realization
Looking back, Tsunoda acknowledges that this incident changed his mindset.
“I never felt controlling my emotions was the key to my success, it was just my natural character,” he admits. But after recognizing how his outbursts hindered his development, he knew he had to adapt.
“My mindset would be to take my stress out on the track and then focus afterwards. These days, F1 is more political and has more sponsors. You need to find a balance. You don’t want a driver shouting emotions… the team wants to hear specific feedback.”
A New Chapter at Red Bull
Fast forward to today, Tsunoda is preparing for one of the biggest challenges of his career: a seat alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull. His progress has been undeniable, and he credits his newfound composure for his longevity in the sport.
“I had to change my approach for the future, after what happened with Daniel in Bahrain last year. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sticking around in F1. It’s the one area I’ve worked really hard at – and it’s helped change my mindset and be more serious.”
With 89 races under his belt, Tsunoda understands the gravity of his new role and the pressures that come with it.
Adjusting to Life in Europe
Tsunoda’s personal journey has also seen him adapt to life away from Japan. “I moved to Europe and to Switzerland and I missed my friends quite a lot. I was struggling.”
However, he has since found comfort in his new surroundings. “I actually like living in Europe more than Japan now. I’m able to fully relax. I went back to Japan to mentally reset after Abu Dhabi [in December] and I spent some time with the Japanese fans… it was nice to get out of the racing environment. But it’s not my home. I like the atmosphere more in Europe.”
Yuki Tsunoda will officially race for Red Bull in Japanese Grand Prix 2025 this weekend as the team had no faith left in Liam Lawson and replaced him after mere two races.
