Yuki Tsunoda earns praise from Red Bull engineers for confidently asserting himself alongside reigning four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda is quickly becoming a solid presence within the Red Bull camp, and he’s doing it on his own terms.
Paul Monaghan, Red Bull’s chief engineer, praised Tsunoda’s progress and attitude since stepping into the main team. According to Monaghan, the Japanese driver has been adapting well, even in a challenging environment.
“He’s fitting in well, despite the pressure. He’s honest in his feedback, respectful, and a strong team player,” said Monaghan. “Sure, he’s had some bad luck, but also some good moments. He’s finding his rhythm.”
What stands out most? Tsunoda isn’t backing down, even with Max Verstappen as his teammate.
“He’s not intimidated by the situation. He speaks his mind, knows what he wants from the car, and what he doesn’t like. That’s exactly what we need,” Monaghan added. “He’s part of the team, a valuable part, and I think he’s doing a great job. He’s handling the pressure, and that’s impressive.”
Red Bull is also working hard to better understand their sometimes unpredictable RB21 car.
“We’ve made real progress. Japan was definitely a highlight, while Bahrain wasn’t our best, but by Jeddah, we saw a real step forward,” Monaghan explained. “We were in the fight, we could’ve won that race.”
“There won’t be a single breakthrough moment. It’s all about making steady gains. We’ll see who develops faster, us or our rivals.”
Tsunoda Has No Plans to Move Back to the UK for Red Bull
Yuki Tsunoda confirms he’s staying in Italy, prioritising mental well-being over relocating to Red Bull’s UK headquarters.
Tsunoda is clear about one thing. He’s not returning to live in the UK, even after his step up to the main Red Bull team based in Milton Keynes.
The Japanese driver, now living in Milan, explained that he sees no reason to move back to Britain, where he previously lived during his early Formula 1 career.
“No, I haven’t moved and I don’t plan to,” Tsunoda said. “I feel like I’ve spent enough time in the UK. I get more out of living in Italy.”
His time in the UK wasn’t exactly memorable. In 2021, during the peak of COVID-19 restrictions, he lived in Milton Keynes, which made the experience even tougher.
“Unfortunately, when I was living there it was during lockdown. I didn’t really get to enjoy much. It wasn’t a great time, and that didn’t help my impression of the place.”
Tsunoda is focused on maintaining his mental well-being, especially with Formula 1 seasons getting longer and more demanding. For him, being in the right environment during downtime is essential.
“With a schedule like this, when you finally have a break, it’s really important to be somewhere that feels like home. It helps you reset mentally.”
“So far, Italy has given me that space. I feel comfortable there. I’m happy to travel to Milton Keynes for simulator sessions and meetings, but I’m always glad to return to Milan.”
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