Tsunoda 'Happy More Than Ever' After Post-Season Test With Red Bull

Wednesday, 11 December 2024 at 12:00

Yuki Tsunoda shared his thoughts after driving Max Verstappen's RB20 at the 2024 F1 post-season testing in Abu Dhabi.

RB F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda, who finished the 2024 Drivers' Championship in P12, got to drive Max Verstappen's Championship-winning RB20 at the post-season test at Yas Marina Circuit.

Post-season testing takes place every year, and F1 teams usually utilize it to give chances to young drivers, run various tests for the upcoming season, and try out new components.

The Japanese driver placed P17, though it isn't clear what tire compound, fuel load, run plan, and engine mode he was on. As reported by PlanetF1, the 24-year-old said after completing the test:

"The Abu Dhabi post season test has been so fun today, it's the first time in the past four years that I have driven a different car."

"You can physically feel why the RB20 has been fighting for a championship this year, it feels like a very different car to drive."

Racing Infinity

@RacingInfinity1

·Follow

🇦🇪 | 🏁 Abu Dhabi post-season testing results 👇 ⚠️ | Carlos Sainz's fastest lap was 0,186 seconds faster than Alx Albon's best lap in the qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last Saturday. 👀 #F1 #F1Testing

Read more on Twitter

"We have had a very proactive day today so I am really happy with that. There is still a lot of learning that I have to do but the team have done a great job of preparing such a great run today, it's been such an enjoyable atmosphere in the garage."

"I feel like the car suits my driving style and I haven't struggled much at all to adapt, even on the long runs I have been able to run consistently today and was able to feel the limitations of the car which if you don't have confidence in the car you are unable to test."

"I am happy more than ever at the moment and making sure that the team have the information that they require from each run is the most important thing to get out of today."

Tsunoda's test in Red Bull Racing is something that has been agreed upon for a long time, but Sergio Perez's slump in performance offered an opportunity for the Japanese driver to show what he's got with a potential promotion in sight.

On the one hand, there is Sergio Perez keeps saying that he has a contract for the 2025 season and that he will be driving for the team from Milton Keynes next year as well.

On the other hand, Red Bull leaders Christian Horner and Helmut Marko weren't so sure as they suggested there would be a meeting with shareholders shortly after the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that will decide what's next.

If the Austrian F1 team decided to terminate their contract with the Mexican driver, Tsunoda would be one of the main contenders for his seat as an experienced, fast driver who has been part of the Red Bull family for a long time.

Hence why, his test in RB20 (Red Bull's 2024 car) in Abu Dhabi was so important. During this test, Tsunoda completed 127 laps in total - more than twice the full Grand Prix race distance (58 laps).