Tsunoda Suggests 'Really Big Step' Forward After First Ride In VCARB-01

Sunday, 18 February 2024 at 02:15

Yuki Tsunda, who had a first taste of RB's 2024 challenger VCARB-01 during a shakedown at Misano, suggested the new car feels like a big step forward.

RB, which unveiled its 2024 challenger VCARB-01 on February 9th during a show at Las Vegas, had a shakedown at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli two days ago on Thursday, February 15th.

While the team has received a lot of publicity because of its recent rebrand, controversial name (Visas Cash App RB), and new livery, it has been flying under the radar regarding "development progress" talks.

However, RB already made a big step forward in development towards the end of the most recent season. If the team was able to retain such a rate of development, it might very well be knocking on the door of the top five in the Championship.

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Yuki Tsunoda, who had the chance to sit in the new car, suggested his team has indeed done a very good job over the winter, as he told the media after the shakedown at Misano.

"It's feeling great on the track, the first run with the VCARB 01 went all smooth. I already felt a couple of steps of improvement compared to last year and a really big step I felt compared to the same time last year."

Tsunoda became one of the ten drivers who led a Grand Prix (in 2023) during the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi, which only highlights the progress that RB has made.

The Italy-based team wanted to take more advantage of their collaboration with Red Bull starting in 2024. Will it bring fruit? That is yet to be seen. But the Japanese driver can already feel improvements in numerous aspects, as he added:

"I really enjoyed also the new car with the new livery, new team, so it was a positive day I would say overall, it's an easier handling car, and just didn't feel any outstanding issue or strong characteristics and movements. So far, I'm feeling positive,"