Yuki Tsunoda, standing at just 1.59 meters (5ft 3in), has made a name for himself with a fierce personality and undeniable racing talent. After years of waiting, the 24-year-old will race for Red Bull at his home Grand Prix in Suzuka next weekend. Tsunoda’s promotion comes after the team made a bold decision to replace underperforming Liam Lawson with the Japanese driver, following an impressive start to the 2025 season.
Tsunoda’s Big Opportunity
Tsunoda’s journey to Red Bull comes after a standout performance in the first two races of 2025, where he outshone New Zealander Liam Lawson. Despite being only 23, Lawson has struggled, failing to score points and being eliminated in the first stage of qualifying in all three races so far.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull’s team principal, praised Tsunoda’s recent progress, stating, “His progress last year, and more recently from the very start of 2025, has been nothing less than sensational.”
From Rookie to Rising Star
Tsunoda began his racing career in Japan, starting with go-karting at age four. He made his mark in Formula Four in Japan before moving on to Formula Three and Euroformula Open. In 2020, he joined the British team Carlin in Formula Two, impressing with three wins and seven podiums.
His performance in Formula Two fast-tracked him to Formula One in 2021 with AlphaTauri, a Red Bull sister team. He became the first Japanese driver in F1 since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014. Due to his smaller stature, engineers developed custom pedal kits to ensure Tsunoda was comfortable in his car.
Overcoming Challenges and Finding Consistency
Tsunoda’s debut season in Formula One was a mix of highs and lows. Known for his fiery temperament and occasional radio outbursts, Tsunoda admitted he struggled to keep calm during races. He once joked about his habit of shouting while playing video games after losing, but he has worked hard to manage his emotions, showing improvement as he gained more experience on the track.
Despite a rocky start, Tsunoda started delivering more consistent results, becoming one of Red Bull’s top points scorers last season. This steady growth has paved the way for his promotion to the senior team.
Looking Ahead
Now with Red Bull, Tsunoda will aim to prove himself on a bigger stage, balancing his fiery competitive nature with the emotional control he has been working on. With the Suzuka Grand Prix just around the corner, all eyes will be on Tsunoda as he takes on this new challenge and strives for greater success in Formula One.