After the first triple header of the season, Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda gets little rest. As soon as the Saudi Arabian GP is over, the Japanese driver is preparing for a private test at the Silverstone circuit. Tsunoda was hastily promoted to the main team this year after two Grands Prix with Racing Bulls, resulting in a lack of experience. By testing with old Red Bulls, the team management hopes he will gain more confidence in this new environment.
Following his sudden debut for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda quickly faced race weekends in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. So far, the 24-year-old driver has generally outperformed his predecessor, Liam Lawson. However, Tsunoda has admitted on several occasions that he lacks experience. He is convinced that he can compete with teammate Max Verstappen, provided he gets the chance to familiarize himself with the RB21.
That’s precisely why Red Bull has planned an extensive test day at the Silverstone circuit. In the aftermath of the Arabian Grand Prix, Tsunoda will get behind the wheel of the RB19, the 2023 car. This is not just any vehicle – Max Verstappen and his then teammate Sergio Pérez used it to win a staggering twenty-one of the twenty-two Grands Prix. This makes the RB19 effectively the most successful Formula 1 car ever.
‘It Comes Down to Experience’
In recent weeks, Yuki Tsunoda has naturally clocked up many miles in the current Red Bull car, the RB21. However, this car is plagued by balance issues and unpredictable handling, making it more challenging for the Japanese driver to perform. “I can’t quite relax when driving this car,” he previously stated. “It still feels rushed, and as a result, I don’t have full control yet.”
In line with the TPC regulations – Testing of Previous Cars – Tsunoda is allowed to extensively test the RB19. The rules stipulate that such private tests can only be carried out with cars that are at least two seasons old. According to the English Autosport, this test was already scheduled when Tsunoda signed with Red Bull. “It really comes down to experience,” Tsunoda said ahead of the race weekend in Jeddah. “This car behaves differently on every circuit, so it’s hard to predict.”
