Tsunoda labels Red Bull a “very different car” after maiden F1 test for the squad

Yuki Tsunoda described the Purple Bull automotive as “very totally different” to what he’s used to, after an encouraging maiden check for the squad on Tuesday at Yas Marina Circuit.

The Japanese was lastly given a correct check in one in all Purple Bull’s automobiles in the course of the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre check.

Whereas lap instances had been largely irrelevant due to the totally different run programmes that everybody was doing, Tsunoda mentioned that he had by no means been happier than when lapping within the RB20 which completed third within the 2024 constructors’ standings.

“You possibly can bodily really feel why the RB20 has been preventing for a championship this yr, it appears like a really totally different automotive to drive,” he mentioned.

“We now have had a really proactive day in the present day so I’m actually proud of that. There may be nonetheless lots of studying that I’ve to do, however the group have carried out a terrific job of getting ready such a terrific run in the present day. It’s been such an pleasing ambiance within the storage.”

Tsunoda said before the run that he expected himself to be well suited to the car’s characteristics after attempting it out within the simulator, and that proved to be the case.

Yuki Tsunoda, Purple Bull Racing RB20

Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs

 “I really feel just like the automotive fits my driving fashion and I haven’t struggled a lot in any respect to adapt,” he added.

“Even on the lengthy runs I’ve been capable of run constantly in the present day and was capable of really feel the restrictions of the automotive which, if you happen to don’t trust within the automotive, you might be unable to check.

“I’m comfortable greater than ever for the time being, and ensuring that the group have the knowledge that they require from every run was crucial factor to get out of in the present day.”

Tsunoda is hoping that some optimistic suggestions from the check can persuade Purple Bull’s bosses to advertise him to the primary squad subsequent yr if it goes forward and chooses to drop Sergio Perez.

The outfit has beforehand been reluctant to take action due to issues about Tsunoda’s temperament and stage of technical suggestions.

Nevertheless, it was attention-grabbing that head of efficiency Ben Waterhouse mentioned afterwards that he had been impressed with how the 24-year-old operated.

Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing RB20

Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs

“We had Yuki in our automotive for the primary time and Isack [Hadjar] driving RB20 once more following his current outing in FP1 on the race weekend,” he defined.

“We efficiently accomplished the precedence check gadgets on each automobiles with each drivers performing to a really excessive stage and delivering precisely what we anticipated from them.

“Yuki offered glorious suggestions on the varied exams carried out on the 2025 Pirelli tyres providing helpful perception on the tyre modifications Pirelli will introduce for subsequent yr, whereas Isack did a terrific job and efficiently accomplished all of the procedural aero exams within the morning earlier than performing each lengthy and quick runs evaluating a variety of check gadgets within the afternoon.”