Alright, F1 fam, grab your tissues and your favorite energy drink, because it’s time to say “arigato” and “sayonara” (for now) to one of the most electrifying, unpredictable, and downright loveable drivers of the last five years: Yuki Tsunoda. As of December, 2025, Tsunoda is stepping away from the grid after 111 Grands Prix, 124 points, and a career that’s been a wild mix of daring overtakes, legendary radio rants, and pure, unfiltered passion. No, he didn’t get that elusive podium (yet), but trust me, his F1 story is one for the ages. Let’s relive the best moments of the “Samurai Spirit” on four wheels! 🇯🇵🏁
- From Sagamihara to the World: The Meteoric Rise
- The Overtake King and Radio Legend
- Beating the Odds: Outperforming Teammates and Silencing Doubters
- The Heart of the Paddock: Friendships, Bromances, and Fan Love
- The Numbers Game: Stats That Tell the Story
- The Final Lap: Saying Goodbye (But Not Really)
- #fyp
From Sagamihara to the World: The Meteoric Rise
Let’s rewind to 2021. Yuki Tsunoda, a 20-year-old rookie from Sagamihara, Japan, lands in F1 with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls). The guy went from Japanese F4 to F1 in just over three years. That’s not a career ladder, that’s a rocket launch! Backed by Honda’s Formula Dream Project and the Red Bull junior program, Tsunoda’s rise was so fast, even his engineers needed a neck brace.
His debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix? Straight-up fireworks. He scored points (P9) on his very first outing, making daring moves that had the paddock buzzing. Franz Tost, his team principal at the time, said it best:
His driving style belongs to the modern driving styles. He knows what he wants – he doesn’t like a car that understeers or when the car washes out at the apex, and he doesn’t care about the rear of the car.
Franz Tost
If you want to relive that debut, check out the official F1 highlights on YouTube:
Watch Tsunoda’s Bahrain debut
The Overtake King and Radio Legend
Let’s be real: if you didn’t laugh at least once at a Yuki Tsunoda team radio, you’re not watching F1 right. The guy’s radio rants are the stuff of legend—raw, honest, and often hilariously NSFW. But behind the memes was a driver who never, ever gave up a fight on track.
Remember Abu Dhabi 2021? Tsunoda pulled off his best-ever finish with a stunning P4, holding his nerve in a chaotic race and showing the world he could mix it with the big boys. That drive was pure heart, pure hustle, and pure Yuki.
And who could forget his qualifying heroics at the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix? In tricky wet conditions, Tsunoda stuck his Racing Bulls car in P3 on the grid. The paddock was shook. The fans were screaming. Even Max Verstappen was like, “Wait, what?!”
I REALLY LIKE TO BATTLE AND I DON’T LOSE MUCH WHEN BATTLE HAPPENS.
Yuki Tsunoda
For a taste of classic Yuki radio, you gotta see this:
Best of Yuki Tsunoda Team Radio
Beating the Odds: Outperforming Teammates and Silencing Doubters
Let’s talk about the pressure cooker that is the Red Bull family. Every year, new hotshots came for Yuki’s seat—Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, you name it. Each time, Tsunoda was expected to be the “weak link.” Each time, he proved everyone wrong.
2023 and 2024 were especially spicy. Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) was a revolving door of drivers, but Yuki consistently outperformed his teammates in the standings. He didn’t just survive—he thrived, earning respect up and down the paddock.
And then, in 2025, the dream came true: Tsunoda was promoted to the Red Bull Racing seat. Sure, he couldn’t quite match Verstappen’s alien pace (who can?!), but he delivered solid points, epic battles, and even helped Max with a crucial tow in Abu Dhabi qualifying. That’s what you call being a team player.
Tsunoda pays tribute to ‘phenomenal’ Red Bull mechanics after his last race with the team.
The Heart of the Paddock: Friendships, Bromances, and Fan Love
Yuki wasn’t just a driver—he was a vibe. The youngest on the grid in 2021, he quickly became a fan favorite and a paddock legend. His bromance with Pierre Gasly was iconic (seriously, someone make a Netflix show about those two). Whether it was cooking lessons, gaming sessions, or just goofing around, Tsunoda brought a sense of fun and family to the often cutthroat world of F1.
He built genuine connections with every teammate, from Gasly to Ricciardo, and was always the first to crack a joke or lend a hand. In a sport where rivalries can get toxic, Yuki’s positivity was a breath of fresh air.
And let’s not forget the fans. Japanese Grand Prix weekends turned into Tsunoda-mania, with flags, banners, and chants echoing through Suzuka. He inspired a new generation of Japanese motorsport fans, proving you don’t need to win races to win hearts.
The Numbers Game: Stats That Tell the Story
Alright, let’s get nerdy for a second. Here’s a quick look at Tsunoda’s F1 stats up to December 2025:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Best Race Finish | 4th (Abu Dhabi 2021) |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Best Grid Position | 3rd (São Paulo 2024) |
| Best Championship Finish | 11th (2025) |
| F1 Debut | Bahrain 2021 |
| Grands Prix Entered | 111 |
| Career Points | 124 |
No, there’s no win or podium (yet), but these numbers don’t tell the whole story. Every stat is a battle, every point a war won against the odds.
The Final Lap: Saying Goodbye (But Not Really)
So, what’s next for Yuki? He’s not disappearing—he’s moving into a Red Bull reserve role for 2026, ready to jump back in if needed and help develop the next generation of Red Bull machinery. Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad are stepping up, but you know Tsunoda will be lurking in the background, ready to pounce if the call comes.
His last race as a full-time driver? Classic Yuki—fighting for every inch, helping his teammate, and leaving it all on the track. After the flag dropped, he paid tribute to the Red Bull crew, the fans, and everyone who believed in him.
Tsunoda ‘proud’ he gave everything for the team.
#fyp
Want to relive the best of Yuki Tsunoda? Here are some must-see links:
- Daring driving, radio rants and paddock pals – Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 career so far
- Tsunoda pays tribute to ‘phenomenal’ Red Bull mechanics after his last race with the team (YouTube)
- 2025 Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying: Tsunoda helps Verstappen with a tow in Q3 (YouTube)
- Yuki Tsunoda Official F1 Profile
Yuki, you may be leaving the grid, but you’ll never leave our hearts (or our meme folders). Thanks for the memories, the madness, and the magic. See you in the paddock, legend! 🏎️🔥
