With the arrival of the 2025 F1 Japanese GP week, Yuki Tsunoda is finally wearing the long-awaited Red Bull Racing suit. In his fifth campaign in Formula 1, Tsunoda is getting ready to make his Red Bull senior team debut in his home Grand Prix, after replacing Liam Lawson, who experienced two difficult opening races into the season.
The Japanese driver reflected his emotions on his promotion to Sky Sports F1.
From doubting his role to being promoted to the championship-winning team
Since his debut in F1, Yuki Tsunoda has shown gradual progress with his performance in the junior squad.
After delivering his best season in 2024, many speculated that he would get Pérez’s empty Red Bull seat for 2025. Though he tested for the senior team in the post-season testing in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull did not select Tsunoda for its 2025 lineup. Liam Lawson was confirmed to race in the Milton Keynes-based outfit instead of the Japanese racer.
During the first two races of the season, Liam Lawson struggled to perform efficiently in the RB21. The Red Bull party released news post-China and decided to swap Lawson and Tsunoda from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards.
Although many thought that the Red Bull team overlooked Tsunoda’s talent and experience, he finally reached the seat he had been longing for years. He will now race alongside the reigning world champion Max Verstappen, starting with his home race in Suzuka.
From doubts to joy
In the interview, he admitted it was shocking to hear that Red Bull did not choose him for the hot seat. Tsunoda stated that there were times when he doubted his role at Red Bull when they called him to be the reserve driver and do the seat fitting. Nevertheless, Tsunoda mentioned that he did not change his focus despite the disappointment and carried on performing his best in Racing Bulls.
“Even when I was reserve driver before for Red Bull Racing this year, 2025, and I was doing seat fitting already before Bahrain testing probably like 10 percent of myself, inside of my head, was like, ‘what am I doing this seat fitting for?’
“I felt like last year’s end of the season was the biggest chance and closest I went throughout my career, and it didn’t happen.
“So, to me, that was a little bit shocking, I would say, but it is what it is. I just carried focus to perform well in the RB.”
Everything is coming all together at the same time
The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix induces mixed feelings for the 24-year-old. While it is his first home race in the Red Bull Racing suit, the Grand Prix is also the last year of the Honda-Red Bull collaboration. The Japanese manufacturer Honda has a special place in Tsunoda’s career due to backing up the driver for many years. Tsunoda expressed that it is an honor to use the Honda engine in their last dance with Red Bull.
He stated that everything coming together very quickly at the same time is crazy, and he can not wait to jump into the car.
“I know lots of emotions mixing around. But one thing I can say is it’s hard to experience crazier more than this situation in the future.
“Because first time in the home Grand Prix, but also at the same time in the Red Bull Racing, first time in the FP1. And at the same time, last year also for Honda as well, collaboration with Red Bull.
“Everything just comes together, came together at once, very quickly. For myself, I got supported by Honda, so obviously, as a Japanese, very honoured to use the engine.
“Last year I wanted to jump into the top team car, which you have a bit more chance to maybe finish [in the] high [positions]. I just can’t wait.”
