Yuki Tsunoda, the Red Bull Racing driver, referred to Daniel Ricciardo as a “mentor” when describing his Formula 1 teammates. This comment came during a recent episode of Red Bull’s ‘Talking Bull’ podcast, reflecting on Tsunoda’s experiences with teammates from various stages of his F1 career.
Tsunoda Reflects on Ricciardo’s Role in His Career
Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda raced together for Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s junior team, through parts of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. After Ricciardo’s exit from Formula 1 following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, where he concluded a career featuring eight grand prix wins, Tsunoda advanced to the main Red Bull team in 2025. During the podcast, Tsunoda initially described Ricciardo as a “teacher,” but corrected himself, settling on “mentor” as a more fitting term.
At the time, Ricciardo was an experienced driver striving to return to Red Bull Racing, while Tsunoda was still relatively new to F1. This dynamic allowed Tsunoda to learn firsthand from Ricciardo’s approach and experience, observing how a seasoned driver operated within the team environment.
Since retiring from full-time racing, Ricciardo has transitioned to a role as a global ambassador for Ford Racing.
Other Teammates Described by Tsunoda
Tsunoda also shared one-word descriptions for the other drivers he has partnered with in Formula 1. For his first teammate, Pierre Gasly, Tsunoda chose “brother,” emphasizing their close rapport. When asked about Isack Hadjar, a rookie who raced alongside him during the initial two rounds of the 2025 season at Racing Bulls, he selected “bro,” highlighting a similar camaraderie.
Nyck de Vries, whom Ricciardo succeeded in the junior Red Bull program, presented more of a challenge for Tsunoda’s one-word rule. After some hesitation, Tsunoda settled on “old friends,” acknowledging the time they spent racing together and their shared history.
Regarding Max Verstappen, Tsunoda’s current teammate at Red Bull Racing, he pushed the boundaries of the exercise by choosing “gin tonic.” This was a playful nod to a personal connection, as Verstappen introduced Tsunoda to the cocktail, which is a known favorite of Verstappen’s.
Looking Ahead to Formula 1 2026
As Tsunoda works to secure his seat alongside Verstappen for the 2026 season, his reflections on teammates highlight the varied relationships and learning experiences that have shaped his development in Formula 1. Calling Ricciardo a “mentor” underscores the role the Australian played in assisting Tsunoda’s growth as a driver during their time together at Racing Bulls.
With a growing list of accomplished and experienced teammates, Tsunoda’s continued progress will be closely watched as he seeks to make a strong impression in the coming years.
