Tsunoda Impresses in Japanese GP Practice Amid Interrupted… Read more
Yuki Tsunoda, stepping in for Red Bull in the Japanese Grand Prix, delivered a performance under immense pressure, showcasing his skill and composure despite the challenging circumstances. The 24-year-old Japanese driver, who was drafted from Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, just a week ago to replace Liam Lawson, impressed on his first outing for the team, proving he was up to the task in one of the most scrutinized races of his career.
Tsunoda, who has four years of Formula 1 experience, has never driven Red Bull’s 2025 car before, a machine known for its tricky handling, a fact that was clearly demonstrated by Lawson’s struggles earlier in the season. Max Verstappen, despite his championship prowess, has acknowledged that the car is challenging to control, describing it as unstable and lacking balance. Lawson, who had been tasked with driving the car earlier in the season, faced difficulties in adapting. He crashed out at the Australian Grand Prix, struggled in qualifying in China, and failed to impress during the race weekend. By contrast, Tsunoda showed immediate promise in practice, indicating that he was much more comfortable behind the wheel of the Red Bull.
In the opening practice session, Tsunoda secured a solid sixth-place finish, only 0.1 seconds behind Verstappen, who was in fifth. This performance was a notable improvement compared to Lawson’s previous struggles and demonstrated the skill and adaptability that Red Bull required from their second driver. Tsunoda’s performance in this session was critical, especially given that Red Bull’s second driver position has been under close scrutiny after Lawson’s early-season difficulties. For reference, Lawson finished the opening practice session in 13th place while driving for Racing Bull, a car considered more forgiving than the Red Bull machine.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris of McLaren continued to showcase his championship ambitions, leading the practice sessions. Norris, who currently leads the Formula 1 World Championship with an 8-point advantage over Verstappen, appears to be in prime form as he looks to extend his championship lead in the Japanese Grand Prix. McLaren’s car has been particularly well-suited to the Suzuka circuit, which favors their car’s strengths in high-speed corners. Norris finished the first practice session 0.15 seconds ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, despite a somewhat scrappy beginning. Norris had a few moments of instability on track, including a near-spin and a brief off-track excursion, but he was able to bounce back and set a strong lap time.
The opening practice session also saw a strong performance from Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing third and fourth, respectively. The circuit layout at Suzuka, known for its figure-eight design, clearly suited the high-speed capabilities of the Ferrari and McLaren cars, as both teams were able to extract the most from their machines in these conditions.
The second practice session was heavily disrupted by a series of red flags, which interrupted the proceedings and caused significant delays. The first major incident occurred when Jack Doohan suffered a frightening crash in his Alpine. Doohan lost control of his car on the way into turn one, spinning off track and slamming into the barriers with a massive impact. Fortunately, Doohan emerged from the crash unscathed, but his car was significantly damaged. Initial investigations suggested that Doohan’s DRS (Drag Reduction System) might not have closed properly when he turned into the corner, causing the car to spin uncontrollably. This incident prompted the first red flag of the session and a 30-minute delay.
Once the session resumed, it was quickly interrupted again, this time by Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. Alonso ran wide at the Degner curve and, like Doohan, spun off into the gravel. This prompted another red flag and yet another delay to the session. Despite these interruptions, teams remained focused on their setups, with McLaren and Ferrari still looking strong, and Tsunoda’s performance continuing to build confidence within Red Bull.
While Verstappen and Norris were leading the way in terms of raw pace, the disrupted sessions meant that a definitive pecking order had yet to emerge. The unusual interruptions also highlighted the unpredictable nature of Suzuka, a circuit known for its technical challenges and high-speed corners.
In the broader context of the weekend, Tsunoda’s performance could not be more timely for Red Bull, as they look to stabilize their second driver position after Lawson’s removal. Tsunoda, who has a proven track record with the Racing Bulls, has also shown the kind of adaptability Red Bull values. While he is not expected to challenge Verstappen for the lead, Tsunoda’s ability to get within striking distance of the reigning world champion in practice gives Red Bull hope that they can achieve strong results despite the difficulties the car poses.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on Tsunoda and his ability to maintain his performance through the race weekend, with Red Bull needing him to be competitive in the crucial battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Norris is poised to make further progress in the World Championship standings, setting up what could be a thrilling battle at Suzuka. The unpredictable nature of the practice sessions only added to the excitement and anticipation heading into the remainder of the weekend’s action.
