Yuki Tsunoda, the rising Japanese Formula 1 star, has vividly described his experience with Red Bull’s RB21 car as akin to navigating “a science room with lots of chemicals,” where the results can either “go good” or “go bad.” Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Tsunoda reflected on the unpredictable nature of the car following his debut with Red Bull Racing at his home race in Suzuka last week.
Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull’s senior team came swiftly after Liam Lawson’s struggles in the opening races of the 2025 season. Stepping into the RB21 at Suzuka, Tsunoda showed flashes of promise, finishing sixth in Free Practice 1, just a tenth off teammate Max Verstappen’s pace. However, qualifying proved tougher, with a Q2 exit and a 12th-place finish in the race, leaving him frustrated yet optimistic about his learning curve.
“It’s like a science room,” Tsunoda said during a press conference in Bahrain. “Sometimes you mix the chemicals, and it works perfectly; other times, it just doesn’t. I’m still figuring out what makes this car click. Suzuka was a start, but I need more laps to understand it fully.”
The RB21 has earned a reputation as a challenging machine, with its sharp front-end grip and sensitive rear stability posing difficulties for drivers not named Max Verstappen. Tsunoda, however, remains undeterred. Drawing on his four seasons with Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, he believes he can adapt his approach to unlock the car’s potential.
“Suzuka was tough because we set the car up expecting rain that never came,” Tsunoda admitted. “But I learned a lot about tire management and how the RB21 behaves differently from what I’m used to. Bahrain will be another step forward.”
Tsunoda’s goal for the Bahrain Grand Prix is clear: reach Q3 in qualifying and fight for points on Sunday. While he acknowledges the RB21 isn’t yet a podium contender, he’s focused on closing the gap to Verstappen and contributing to Red Bull’s constructors’ championship campaign.
Team principal Christian Horner praised Tsunoda’s early progress, noting his ability to provide detailed technical feedback. “Yuki’s shown he can handle the pressure of a top team,” Horner said. “He’s got the speed, and now it’s about fine-tuning his understanding of the car.”