Yuki Tsunoda was the big star of a show run in front of his home Japanese crowd in Tokyo as the Formula One driver prepares to make his Red Bull debut on home soil this weekend. “It can’t get crazier than this situation,” Tsunoda told the F1 website after a series of demo runs on the streets of Tokyo on Wednesday. “I’m sure there’s a lot of pressure from Red Bull, this home Grand Prix, but I think the only thing I can do is enjoy (it) for now.” The Japanese driver started the year with Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bull, where he had been racing since 2021. However, he received a surprise promotion to the parent team after his former Racing Bulls team-mate Liam Lawson was dismissed after the Chinese Grand Prix, the second race of the season. Lawson, meanwhile, had replaced Sergio Perez, who parted ways with Red Bull after a poor 2024 season. Tsunoda said he had only “just about two days” of useful preparation before Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, but stressed he feels “100% comfortable with the car.” “I think the result will come automatically. I just can’t wait to get on the track as soon possible,” he said. “I’m sure it won’t be easy, it’s very time limited, but I just have to do as much as possible to give the feedback and make it work - and for now, I’m feeling pretty good confidence.” Speaking about his new team-mate and defending world champion Max Verstappen, Tsunoda said, “He’s one of the best drivers.the best driver probably on the current grid. I’ll just learn as much as possible from him, how he’s driving, how he’s able to extract the performance from the car, so let’s see,” Tsunoda said. (DPA)
