Yuki Tsunoda Thrilled to Be Back Behind the Wheel After Red Bu…. read more 👇 full details in the comments
Former Formula 1 driver has expressed his excitement after making a return to driving duties with , describing the experience as a reminder of how much he enjoys being behind the wheel of an F1 car.
The Japanese racer, who currently serves as a test and reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls, recently took part in a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The outing marked his first major on-track appearance with Red Bull since losing his full-time Formula 1 seat at the end of the 2025 season.
Tsunoda spent five seasons competing in Formula 1 and became a familiar face in the Red Bull driver program. After beginning his career with Racing Bulls, he earned a promotion to Red Bull during the 2025 campaign, replacing after Lawson’s brief stint with the senior team. While Tsunoda showed flashes of speed and determination, he faced the difficult challenge of competing alongside four-time world champion .
Despite working hard to establish himself within the team, Tsunoda struggled to consistently match Verstappen’s performances. As a result, Red Bull opted to move in a different direction at the conclusion of the season, leaving the Japanese driver without a race seat for 2026. However, the team retained him as an important member of its driver pool, appointing him as both a reserve and development driver.
This latest test in Spain provided Tsunoda with an opportunity to return to a Formula 1 cockpit and contribute valuable data to Red Bull’s ongoing development efforts. The session took place shortly after the Spanish Grand Prix weekend and allowed the team to gather information under demanding conditions.
According to Tsunoda, the Barcelona heat made the test particularly challenging. Nevertheless, he embraced the opportunity and completed more than 120 laps during the day. Covering such a distance effectively meant driving the equivalent of two full race distances, giving both the driver and the team a productive outing.
Following the test, Tsunoda shared his delight on social media, revealing that he was still smiling after spending so much time in the car. He admitted that returning to Formula 1 machinery felt completely natural and that it seemed as though he had never been away from the sport.
His comments highlighted the passion he still holds for Formula 1 despite no longer being a full-time competitor. For drivers, opportunities to return to the cockpit can be rare once they leave the grid, making the experience particularly meaningful.
The test also came at an important time for Red Bull. The team has endured a difficult start to the 2026 season compared to its dominant years in recent memory. While Verstappen managed to secure a podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, strong results have otherwise been difficult to achieve, increasing the importance of gathering development data whenever possible.
TPC sessions have become increasingly useful due to Formula 1’s major regulation changes introduced for 2026. Normally, these tests are restricted to machinery that is at least two years old. However, because of the sport’s significant technical overhaul, teams have been able to make greater use of cars from previous seasons for testing and evaluation purposes.
During the Barcelona session, Tsunoda was believed to be driving the RB21, the same generation of car he raced during his final season with Red Bull. The familiarity of the machine likely helped him quickly regain confidence and settle into a productive rhythm throughout the day.
Although this was his first official return to testing duties in a recent Formula 1 car, Tsunoda has remained active behind the scenes. Earlier this year, he drove historic Red Bull machines, including the RB7 and RB8, during promotional events. One of those appearances took place at the famous Istanbul Park circuit, where he showcased some of the team’s championship-winning heritage.
For Tsunoda, the Barcelona test represented more than just another day at work. It was a welcome reminder of his connection to Formula 1 and an opportunity to prove that he remains ready whenever Red Bull calls upon him. Judging by his enthusiastic reaction afterward, the experience left him eager for more time behind the wheel.