Yuki Tsunoda was rattled by an unexpected call from Red Bull Racing that could reintroduce him to the Formula One grid for the Saturday race at Zandvoort.
The Japanese reserve driver had spent the summer in Greece, balancing beach time with routine training sessions. While he was relaxing on a seaside boardwalk, his manager shouted that the team needed him in the UK for an imminent event, prompting Tsunoda to leave his holiday after just one day.
That day’s scramble followed the injury of team‑mate Isack Hadjar, who suffered a wrist fracture during the season’s mid‑break. Red Bull’s alternative was to bring in rookie Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls, whose experience with the new generation of F1 machinery made him a reliable choice for the senior squad. Tsunoda, meanwhile, integrated back into the Racing Bulls lineup that had seen him through his pre‑season debut in 2021 up to the start of 2025.
Despite having conducted early‑season testing in current Red Bull cars and hours of simulator work, Tsunoda confirmed that the jump back to the Racing Bulls machine would still pose a learning curve. He noted his limited exposure to the racing‑bulls version of the car, having only boarded its virtual model this week, and highlighted the differences in steering switches and in‑car systems that he had yet to master.
Timing of the Call
In a statement to the press, Tsunoda explained that the phone rang on a Tuesday afternoon. “I was with my manager and a handful of friends,” he said, “spending a few hours on the beach. I was part of an extended training regime, but then the call came and asked me to fly to the UK.”
When the question of why he was needed so swiftly surfaced, Tsunoda recalled a brief exchange where the manager assured him of a possible race slot. “I said why?” he laughed. “They said, ‘Maybe you might race this week.’ That’s exactly what I thought.”
Initial Readiness
Stating that his physical and mental fitness remained sharp, Tsunoda added that his daily training continued unabated. “I go for practice almost every day,” he emphasized, “and I have run through four of the TPCs, each covering five race distances.”
While Tsunoda has no testing experience in the Racing Bulls car, he said that the transition in terms of car handling and cockpit layout would be manageable. He pinned the difference mainly to “steering switches and the way other controls work,” adding that he expected a smoother shift than initially anticipated.
Provisional Nature of the Return
Red Bull has yet to confirm whether Tsunoda’s appearance at Zandvoort will be a one‑off or if he may race again if Hadjar’s wrist requires a longer recovery. The team’s position on the timeline for the injured driver’s rehabilitation remains private.
Career Context
Tsunoda stepped up to the Red Bull Senior squad at the start of 2025 but relinquished his race seat after that season’s final round. He remains their officially designated reserve driver and has been intimately involved in logistical contributions, simulation work, and brief test runs during the off‑season.
His journey back to the circuit follows a similar path to when he joined the Racing Bulls in 2021, a formation that collaborated with Red Bull in developing future talent through precision training and data‑driven performance insights.
Looking Ahead
As Tsunoda readies himself to re-enter fast‑track practice on Saturday, he stresses the importance of absorbing the car’s nuances in the limited time available. “I will need to get used to the vehicle’s setup, starting procedures, and every component,” he admitted. “I’ll navigate this with care and keep my expectations realistic.”
His summer preparations, spanning from simulator logs to full‑scale training, have primed him for the challenge of balancing between the distinct Racing Bulls parameters and the Reds Bull setup, hinting that the technical demands of the event will be met head‑on while he re‑claims his seat on the grid.
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