Tsunoda takes advantage of the Zandvoort showcase
Yuki Tsunoda returned to F1 at the Zandvoort weekend to replace Isack Hadjar at the wheel of the Racing Bulls. And, contrary to what was expected, the Japanese driver performed very well.
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Tsunoda had never driven the 2026 cars, born from new regulations that he could only observe from the outside, without experiencing them firsthand. The Sprint format further complicated the weekend for number 22, who however adapted very quickly to the VCARB 03.
The car proved to be very easy (otherwise young drivers like Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson would struggle much more to perform), and Tsunoda managed to shine with a 12th place in qualifying and an 11th place in the race. Just outside, in short, the points zone. And now Tsunoda, even jokingly, claims his place in F1.
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Tsunoda’s words
“If you want me, please call me,” said the Japanese driver about the sirens that the Zandvoort race might have ignited in teams looking for a driver. “It’s up to my manager and the teams looking for a driver. I know what I can do, and I believe I have proven it in the paddock.”
Which teams for Tsunoda?
Tsunoda is currently a reserve for Red Bull, but there is no space for him either in Milton Keynes or Racing Bulls. If he wants to have a starting seat in F1, Tsunoda will have to detach himself from the Red Bull universe and seek an adventure elsewhere. The most feasible path seems to be Haas, which would like a Japanese driver, but Tsunoda would have to definitively detach from the Honda sponsor. Moreover, there is a big queue for Esteban Ocon’s seat: Ferrari wants to push for Rafael Câmara, McLaren for Leonardo Fornaroli.
