Yuki Tsunoda

Date of birth: 11th May 2000
Nationality: Japanese
F1 debut: 2021
Success: 12th (2024)

The Japanese youngster entered the pinnacle of motorsport in 2021 as a highly rated talent. However, his debut season was marked by frequent mistakes and undisciplined behavior. While his 2022 campaign wasn’t spectacular, he did show improvement and closed the gap to his more experienced teammate, Pierre Gasly.

In 2023, after Gasly’s departure, Tsunoda took on a leadership role at the Faenza-based team, which rebranded as RB (Racing Bulls) for 2024. He was paired with the returning Daniel Ricciardo, and the pressure was on—Tsunoda needed to prove he belonged in F1 long-term.

In 2024, Tsunoda rose to the occasion. He consistently outperformed Ricciardo, who was eventually replaced by Liam Lawson later in the season. Although Red Bull considered Tsunoda for a promotion, they ultimately chose Lawson instead. As a result, Tsunoda remains with the Faenza team—now officially called Racing Bulls—for a fifth consecutive season in 2025.