Yuki Tsunoda

I’ll say this about Yuki Tsunoda — the guy has one of the best character arcs in recent F1 history. He showed up in 2021 as the fastest Japanese driver of his generation, all excitement and raw speed, and over the years he’s quietly transformed himself into a genuinely formidable, consistent competitor. His qualifying speed and racecraft have gone from promising to genuinely elite-level assets for the RB team.

And can we talk about the personality? Tsunoda’s team radio messages are absolutely legendary at this point. The emotional outbursts, the passion, the unfiltered reactions — fans worldwide love him for it. But here’s the thing people sometimes miss: behind that fiery exterior is a driver who has done the hard work on his consistency and race management. The mistakes that used to define his weekends have been replaced by results that make him one of the midfield’s strongest performers.

At the Australian Grand Prix, Tsunoda draws strong support from Australia’s significant Japanese community, and his infectious energy fits the festive Albert Park atmosphere perfectly. His qualifying pace has delivered some impressive grid positions in Melbourne, and his combative racing style means he’s always right in the thick of it when the midfield battles heat up.

Career Statistics

Driver Profile

Yuki Tsunoda steps into 2026 as the experienced leader at RB, partnering rookie Isack Hadjar, and the growth in his driving has been genuinely impressive to watch. He now carries the responsibility of guiding the team through a brand-new regulatory era while still delivering strong results himself. Here’s the big storyline to watch: 2026 might be the pivotal season for Tsunoda’s career. A strong showing could finally earn him that promotion to Red Bull Racing that has eluded him so far — and after everything he’s put together, you’d have to say he deserves the shot.

NC — Staff sports writer, australiafootball.com