Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Motorsport

Tsunoda says experience the only thing holding him back from beating Verstappen

Yuki Tsunoda Max Verstappen Red Bull Red Bull Racing

Yuki Tsunoda is on a mission to close the Formula 1 experience gap between himself and team-mate Max Verstappen.

The recently-promoted Red Bull driver said the RB21 is particularly tricky to drive without prior experience, which gives Verstappen a major advantage.

“I’m quite happy with my confidence level considering we’re only two races in, but I'm trying to understand how this car operates … [because] I'm not fully understanding even half of it yet,” Tsunoda told reporters in Jeddah on Thursday.

The Japanese driver has set realistic short-term goals for himself, but is confident he could challenge the four-time world champion if he had the same level of confidence behind the wheel.

“I know that I can't beat him straight away, so I'm just trying to build a good baseline and wait for the moments that I can be in [good] shape,” Tsunoda said.

“It comes down to the experience really, this car behaves quite differently at each track so it’s hard to predict.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing (Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images)

“Max understands it quite well and the engineers understand it from their experience at previous grands prix. So, they can explain it to me in words, but I don't understand exactly what that feels like in the car.

“I just have to take time and build it up. When I unlock that area, I would probably be able to beat him.”

In the meantime, Tsunoda admitted he still has a lot to learn after spending four years at Red Bull’s junior team.

“I’m not fully relaxing driving this car - I’m still rushing and not fully in control yet,” he said.

“I know how Max builds his confidence throughout the week compared to how I build confidence and it's completely different. He can feel more than I can in the car and he has so much confidence in it.”

Photos from Saudi Arabian GP - Thursday

Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Architectural details in the Paddock

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

A detailed view of the winner's trophy

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Alex Albon, Williams

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

,Paul Aron, Alpine F1

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Architectural details in the Paddock

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Zak Brown, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pedro de la Rosa of Spain, Aston Martin F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Karun Chandhok

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, RB F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

A helicopter flies over during sunset

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Alex Albon, Williams

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Sunset atmosphere

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Thursday

Formula 1

58

In this article

Emily Selleck

Formula 1

Yuki Tsunoda

Red Bull Racing

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

Pakistan threatens to freeze crucial peace treaty with India amid Kashmir tourist massacre fallout

Pakistan threatens to freeze crucial peace treaty with India amid Kashmir tourist massacre fallout

Pakistan's warning to India comes after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for a deadly attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in disputed Kashmir

Evening Standard

Thunder Make Playoff History With Huge Comeback to Beat Grizzlies

Thunder Make Playoff History With Huge Comeback to Beat Grizzlies

Oklahoma City stormed back from down 29 points to beat Memphis in Game 3 of their playoff series.

Sports Illustrated

French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

Boy, 15, arrested after at least one child killed and three injured at Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides school in Nantes

The Guardian - UK

DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce

DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce

Both sides say they have resolved to end conflict through peaceful means after ‘frank’ talks facilitated by Qatar

The Guardian - UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

San Francisco has moved closer to adopting a “recovery first” drug policy that sets abstinence from illicit drugs as its primary goal

The Independent UK

Breach at health insurance giant Blue Shield of California leaked health data of millions to Google - see if you are affected

Breach at health insurance giant Blue Shield of California leaked health data of millions to Google - see if you are affected

Nearly 5 million Blue Shield of California customers see highly sensitive health information exposed.

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Pakistan threatens to freeze crucial peace treaty with India amid Kashmir tourist massacre fallout

Pakistan threatens to freeze crucial peace treaty with India amid Kashmir tourist massacre fallout

Pakistan's warning to India comes after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for a deadly attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in disputed Kashmir

Evening Standard

Thunder Make Playoff History With Huge Comeback to Beat Grizzlies

Thunder Make Playoff History With Huge Comeback to Beat Grizzlies

Oklahoma City stormed back from down 29 points to beat Memphis in Game 3 of their playoff series.

Sports Illustrated

French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

French PM calls for crackdown on knife crime after fatal high school stabbing

Boy, 15, arrested after at least one child killed and three injured at Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides school in Nantes

The Guardian - UK

DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce

DRC government and M23 agree to halt fighting and work towards truce

Both sides say they have resolved to end conflict through peaceful means after ‘frank’ talks facilitated by Qatar

The Guardian - UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

San Francisco inches closer to adopting drug policy with abstinence as its primary goal

San Francisco has moved closer to adopting a “recovery first” drug policy that sets abstinence from illicit drugs as its primary goal

The Independent UK

Breach at health insurance giant Blue Shield of California leaked health data of millions to Google - see if you are affected

Breach at health insurance giant Blue Shield of California leaked health data of millions to Google - see if you are affected

Nearly 5 million Blue Shield of California customers see highly sensitive health information exposed.

Our Picks

Netflix has finally revealed the title of Stranger Things' animated spin-off – and we're already gearing ourselves up to face the Mind Flayer again

Day trip to the Starcourt Mall, anyone?

Giant 'sea dragon' fossil could be largest mosasaur ever discovered in Mississippi

Researchers may have discovered Mississippi's largest ever mosasaur after pulling a Cretaceous-aged fossil out of a riverbed south of Starkville.

Sharon Osbourne's fans disappointed as entire talk show tour cancelled at last minute

Sharon Osbourne has unexpectedly pulled the plug on her entire talk show tour, just hours before she was due to kick off the first show in Stockholm.

The Fashion Central

David Harbour once thought his fan favorite Stranger Things character Hopper should've died in season 1

David Harbour didn't think Hopper should survive season 1

Demi Moore recalls feeling 'terrified' by General Hospital role

Demi Moore has highlighted being cast in 'General Hospital' as a turning point in her career.

Trans Influencer Reveals Republicans Offered to Pay Her Thousands to 'Just Go' to RNC: 'That's Career-Ending I Feel'

Transgender influencer Jools Lebron recently revealed that organizers of the Republican National Convention invited her to attend the event and offered to pay her a huge sum for her presence.

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play