Yuki Tsunoda
Who's this guy?
Yuki Tsunoda made his Formula 1 debut in 2021 with AlphaTauri after finishing third in the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship. Backed by both the Honda Driver Academy and the Red Bull Junior Team, he was fast-tracked to F1 as Japan’s first full-time driver since 2014.
Born in Sagamihara, Japan, in 2000, Tsunoda began karting at age 10 and progressed through Japanese Formula 4, winning the title in 2018. He moved to Europe in 2019 to compete in Formula 3 and Formula 2, quickly adapting to the international stage.
In his rookie F1 season, Tsunoda impressed with points on debut in Bahrain and a career-best fourth place in Abu Dhabi. He became known for his aggressive racecraft, strong starts, and candid — sometimes fiery — team radio messages.
Yuki Tsunoda began the 2025 season with Racing Bulls (formerly RB, previously AlphaTauri) — Red Bull’s junior F1 team. He remained there for the first two races. After those opening rounds he got promoted to their senior team and joined Max Verstappen from the Japanese Grand Prix onward.
Top 10 facts about him
Born May 11, 2000 in Sagamihara, Japan.
First full-time Japanese F1 driver since 2014.
Made his debut in 2021 with AlphaTauri (now RB).
Backed by both Honda and the Red Bull Junior Team.
Known for fiery radio messages and blunt honesty.
Lives in the UK but spends much of the year training in Italy.
Loves cooking Japanese dishes at home, especially ramen.
Enjoys video games and sim racing during downtime.
Fitness transformation in 2023 made him notably stronger on track.
Car number 22, inspired by Jenson Button, his childhood hero.
By Grahampurse - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111959262
Top 5 facts we wish were true (but are not?)
- # Yuki insists on having sushi served to him after each race.
# He swears his best laps are done while thinking of ramen recipes.
# Yuki thinks every Japanese cherry blossom season improves his lap times.
# Yuki’s favorite race day lucky charm? A tiny bonsai tree in the cockpit.
# Yuki’s favorite color is Barbie pink
Go-Carts
2010
F3 Debut
2019
F2 Debut
2020
F1 Debut
2021
1st Race Win
TBS
Yuki Tsunoda made his Formula 1 debut in 2021 with AlphaTauri after finishing third in the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship. Backed by both the Honda Driver Academy and the Red Bull Junior Team, he was fast-tracked to F1 as Japan’s first full-time driver since 2014.
Born in Sagamihara, Japan, in 2000, Tsunoda began karting at age 10 and progressed through Japanese Formula 4, winning the title in 2018. He moved to Europe in 2019 to compete in Formula 3 and Formula 2, quickly adapting to the international stage.
In his rookie F1 season, Tsunoda impressed with points on debut in Bahrain and a career-best fourth place in Abu Dhabi. He became known for his aggressive racecraft, strong starts, and candid — sometimes fiery — team radio messages.
Yuki Tsunoda began the 2025 season with Racing Bulls (formerly RB, previously AlphaTauri) — Red Bull’s junior F1 team. He remained there for the first two races. After those opening rounds he got promoted to their senior team and joined Max Verstappen from the Japanese Grand Prix onward.Born May 11, 2000 in Sagamihara, Japan.
First full-time Japanese F1 driver since 2014.
Made his debut in 2021 with AlphaTauri (now RB).
Backed by both Honda and the Red Bull Junior Team.
Known for fiery radio messages and blunt honesty.
Lives in the UK but spends much of the year training in Italy.
Loves cooking Japanese dishes at home, especially ramen.
Enjoys video games and sim racing during downtime.
Fitness transformation in 2023 made him notably stronger on track.
Car number 22, inspired by Jenson Button, his childhood hero.
# Yuki insists on having sushi served to him after each race.
# He swears his best laps are done while thinking of ramen recipes.
# Yuki thinks every Japanese cherry blossom season improves his lap times.
# Yuki’s favorite race day lucky charm? A tiny bonsai tree in the cockpit.
# Yuki’s favorite color is Barbie pink
Yuki Tsunoda
Team
Country
Podiums
Points
Grand Prix entered
World Championships
Highest Race Finish
Highest Grid position
Date of birth
Place of birth
Yuki Tsunoda
Japan
0
12
101
0
4 (x1)
3 (x1)
11/05/2000
Sagamihara, Japan