Yuki Tsunoda’s homecoming: Can Japan’s rising star deliver a career-defining performance?

Luck seems to be on Yuki Tsunoda’s side. Just weeks after reports surfaced that he had changed his management due to being passed over for a Red Bull seat, the Japanese driver finally got what he had been aiming for at the start of the F1 season. Much to Tsunoda and his fans’ surprise, everything fell into place for the 24-year-old when a younger, less experienced Liam Lawson—who had once been preferred over him—was sent back to Racing Bulls, allowing Tsunoda to take the seat he had long desired.
The timing couldn't be better, as Tsunoda is set to make his Red Bull debut at his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix. Will Tsunoda be able to capitalize on his familiarity with the Suzuka Circuit and prove his worth? Only time will tell. The race at Suzuka is known for the passionate F1 fans, who come dressed in colorful gear to cheer on their drivers. With Tsunoda now in a Red Bull outfit, he’s certain to receive the loudest cheers of all.
Helmut Marko, who heads the Red Bull young driver programme, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live, stating that the team has always believed in Tsunoda and acknowledged that initially choosing Lawson over him was a mistake. He explained, "Tsunoda has made a big step. It’s strange that after four years, now in his fifth year, he is a much stronger personality. He has more confidence and has delivered two very good races. His strategy didn’t work at Racing Bulls, but his difficult car experience will ultimately help him. That was our thinking."
The Suzuka Circuit holds special significance for Yuki Tsunoda, who graduated from the Suzuka Circuit Racing School’s advanced formula class in 2016. The circuit is owned by Honda, a company that has supported Tsunoda throughout his career. He was even a part of the Honda Formula Dream Project. Now racing for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix is the perfect homecoming for him. Additionally, this year marks Honda's final year with Red Bull, making it the ideal moment to promote Tsunoda.

Tsunoda has already spent four successful years with Racing Bulls, and many believe he should have been preferred over Lawson, who made headlines in China by becoming the first Red Bull driver to finish last. In contrast, Tsunoda qualified fifth in the Australian Grand Prix and eighth in the Chinese Grand Prix qualifying. While he couldn’t translate those results into race finishes, much of it can be attributed to strategy issues during his time at Racing Bulls. Notably, Tsunoda claimed 6th place in the China Sprint.
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Now, Tsunoda is set to drive the challenging RB21, but his confidence is high. “As a driver, you always expect to drive differently, but I’m in good shape,” Tsunoda told PlanetF1 before receiving the opportunity of a lifetime.