Tsunoda makes striking revelation after four years in F1

Yuki Tsunoda says he is the “happiest” he has been with his level of performance since he started his F1 career in 2021.

In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, the RB driver summarised the first half of his 2024 season, highlighting the Bahrain and Canadian Grands Prix where he “could have done better”, despite a “not bad” opening 14 rounds to the year.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed impressive form against more experienced team-mate Daniel Ricciardo and leads the Australian 22 points to 12 in the drivers’ standings.

Tsunoda’s performances earned widespread praise, with many questioning why he was not being seriously considered for the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen.

“Definitely the happiest so far out of the last four years with my performance,” the Japanese driver contended when reviewing his campaign to date. 

“Obviously a lot of things I could have done better, but it’s not bad.”

Montreal mistake was ‘a bit unnecessary’

Tsunoda’s performances led to him being awarded with an RB contract extension that will keep within the Red Bull family until at least the end of 2025.

That news was announced in Montreal, on a weekend the 24-year-old pointed out as one of his low points of the season.

Whilst running in the points at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Tsunoda spun on lap 66 of the 70-lap race, falling down the order and losing out on what would likely have been four more points for his season tally.

“Montreal, for sure, when I was running in the points, I had a mistake and I lost points,” he confirmed when asked what parts of the season could have gone better. “So, that was a bit unnecessary.

“Bahrain, as well. Just things I can fix by myself,” he added.

At the season-opening round, RB instructed Tsunoda to move aside for Ricciardo in the closing stages to allow the Australian to attack cars ahead with both Kevin Magnussen and Zhou Guanyu in striking distance.

After holding up his team-mate for a further lap, the Japanese driver moved aside, taking to team radio to air his frustrations before and after acquiescing with the instruction.

He ultimately came home in P14, just behind Ricciardo, but during the cool-down lap, threw his RB up the inside of the Australian’s before racing it on corner exit.

Tsunoda feels he is ‘on the right path’

Despite the unfortunate Bahrain episode, which has been largely forgotten due to his strong run of form, Tsunoda was quick to identify parts of the season that have gone well.

The Japanese driver underlined the British Grand Prix as an example that shows his recent progression.

Having qualified P13, Tsunoda worked his way past though ahead to score a point, despite not feeling his RB was capable of the result that day.

“Silverstone was a race that we were not really expecting points, especially when we faced dry conditions,” he explained.

“For sure, the bit of rain, mixed conditions, helped a little bit, but we were able to achieve points with difficult conditions and a difficult situation.

“For myself, if I look back at the first two years [of my F1 career], I don’t think I can achieve points, so those things for sure, I feel able to improve myself and be on the right path.”