Yuki Tsunoda described the Pink Bull automotive as “very totally different” to what he’s used to, after an encouraging maiden take a look at for the squad on Tuesday at Yas Marina Circuit.
The Japanese was lastly given a correct take a look at in one in all Pink Bull’s vehicles in the course of the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre take a look at.
Whereas lap occasions have been largely irrelevant due to the totally different run programmes that everybody was doing, Tsunoda stated that he had by no means been happier than when lapping within the RB20 which completed third within the 2024 constructors’ standings.
“You’ll be able to bodily really feel why the RB20 has been combating for a championship this yr, it appears like a really totally different automotive to drive,” he stated.
“We’ve got had a really proactive day immediately so I’m actually proud of that. There’s nonetheless loads of studying that I’ve to do, however the group have finished an amazing job of getting ready such an amazing run immediately. It has been such an pleasurable ambiance within the storage.”
Tsunoda stated earlier than the run that he anticipated himself to be nicely suited to the automotive’s traits after attempting it out within the simulator, and that proved to be the case.
Yuki Tsunoda, Pink Bull Racing RB20
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
 “I really feel just like the automotive fits my driving type and I have never struggled a lot in any respect to adapt,” he added.
“Even on the lengthy runs I’ve been capable of run constantly immediately and was capable of really feel the constraints of the automotive which, if you do not have confidence within the automotive, you’re unable to check.
“I’m blissful greater than ever in the meanwhile, and ensuring that the group have the data that they require from every run was a very powerful factor to get out of immediately.”
Tsunoda is hoping that some constructive suggestions from the take a look at can persuade Pink Bull’s bosses to advertise him to the primary squad subsequent yr if it goes forward and chooses to drop Sergio Perez.
The outfit has beforehand been reluctant to take action due to considerations about Tsunoda’s temperament and degree of technical suggestions.
Nonetheless, it was fascinating that head of efficiency Ben Waterhouse stated afterwards that he had been impressed with how the 24-year-old operated.
Isack Hadjar, Pink Bull Racing RB20
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
“We had Yuki in our automotive for the primary time and Isack [Hadjar] driving RB20 once more following his latest outing in FP1 on the race weekend,” he defined.
“We efficiently accomplished the precedence take a look at objects on each vehicles with each drivers performing to a really excessive degree and delivering precisely what we anticipated from them.
“Yuki offered wonderful suggestions on the assorted checks carried out on the 2025 Pirelli tyres providing useful perception on the tyre modifications Pirelli will introduce for subsequent yr, whereas Isack did an amazing job and efficiently accomplished all of the procedural aero checks within the morning earlier than performing each lengthy and quick runs evaluating a spread of take a look at objects within the afternoon.”
On this article
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e mail updates on these subjects
Subscribe to information alerts
