All you need to know about Japanese F1 superstar Yuki Tsunoda

Born on May 11, 2000, in Sagamihara, Japan, Yuki Tsunoda has risen rapidly in the world of motorsport and is considered one of the top drivers in Formula 1 racing. His journey began in karting at just four years old, sparking a passion that shaped his future. Moving up through the junior karting categories in Japan, Tsunoda showcased his talent and dedication. In 2016, he graduated from Honda's Suzuka Circuit racing school and joined the Honda Formula Dream Project. This important year also saw his single-seater debut in the F4 Japanese Championship, where he impressed everyone by coming second in his first race. The following season saw Tsunoda compete full-time in Japanese F4, taking his first win in 2017 and eventually winning the national championship title in 2018 with seven wins. His success in Japan paved the way for a move to Europe in 2019, where he competed in both the FIA Formula 3 Championship and the EuroFormula Open Series. Despite a challenging start in F3, Tsunoda's potential shone through, allowing him to take a step up to the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Carlin in 2020. 

In his debut F2 season, he put in a remarkable performance, scoring three wins and finishing third in the championship standings. This impressive performance earned Tsunoda a coveted seat in Formula 1 with Scuderia AlphaTauri for the 2021 season, making him the first Japanese driver in F1 since 2014. He made an immediate impact by scoring points in his debut race at the Bahrain Grand Prix. During his debut season, Tsunoda demonstrated great performance and tenacious racing spirit, finishing a career-best fourth at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.  

After spending four seasons with the Red Bull Junior Team, demonstrating his progress and determination, an opportunity arose at the start of the 2025 season. After the opening race, Tsunoda was promoted to the senior Red Bull Racing team, fulfilling his long-standing ambition and forming a partnership with Max Verstappen. The move is a significant step in his career, allowing him to compete at the highest level of Formula 1 and contribute to a championship-contending team.