Tsunoda labels Crimson Bull a “very completely different automobile” after maiden F1 check for the squad

Yuki Tsunoda described the Crimson Bull automobile as “very completely 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 among Crimson Bull’s automobiles in the course of the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre check.

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

“You’ll be able to bodily really feel why the RB20 has been preventing for a championship this yr, it seems like a really completely different automobile to drive,” he stated.

“We now have had a really proactive day at the moment so I’m actually proud of that. There may be nonetheless loads of studying that I’ve to do, however the group have completed an amazing job of making ready such an amazing run at the moment. It has been such an pleasing ambiance within the storage.”

Tsunoda stated earlier than the run that he anticipated himself to be effectively suited to the automobile’s traits after attempting it out within the simulator, and that proved to be the case.

 “I really feel just like the automobile fits my driving model and I have never struggled a lot in any respect to adapt,” he added.

“Even on the lengthy runs I’ve been in a position to run persistently at the moment and was in a position to really feel the constraints of the automobile which, if you do not have confidence within the automobile, you might be unable to check.

“I’m completely satisfied greater than ever in the mean time, and ensuring that the group have the knowledge that they require from every run was a very powerful factor to get out of at the moment.”

Tsunoda is hoping that some optimistic suggestions from the check can persuade Crimson Bull’s bosses to advertise him to the principle 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.

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

Isack Hadjar, Crimson Bull Racing RB20

Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos

“We had Yuki in our automobile 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 supplied wonderful suggestions on the assorted exams carried out on the 2025 Pirelli tyres providing worthwhile perception on the tyre adjustments Pirelli will introduce for subsequent yr, whereas Isack did an amazing job and efficiently accomplished all of the procedural aero exams within the morning earlier than performing each lengthy and brief runs evaluating a spread of check gadgets within the afternoon.”