Yuki Tsunoda, currently Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, has opened up about their unexpected friendship and how a simple drink helped break the ice between them. The Japanese driver shared a revealing moment from 2023 that challenged public perceptions of Verstappen, highlighting an off-track experience that deepened their connection.
Since making his Formula 1 debut in 2021, Tsunoda has been part of Red Bull’s larger driver development group, allowing him to spend time with members of the sister team. During one such occasion, Tsunoda was traveling alongside Verstappen on the Dutchman’s private jet. There, Verstappen introduced him to a gin and tonic, a gesture that showed a more approachable side to the reigning world champion. Tsunoda expressed his gratitude plainly:
“[Max] Verstappen is not as he appears, he is a very nice guy: it was he who made me discover some excellent gin-tonic on his private jet. I will forever thank him for this.”
— Yuki Tsunoda, Formula 1 Driver
Although the two later competed for separate teams, they are reunited under the Red Bull umbrella for the 2025 season, setting the stage for closer collaboration.
Tsunoda’s Ambition to Narrow the Performance Gap with Verstappen
Despite both drivers contributing points to Red Bull this year, Verstappen has dominated the scoring with 187 points, while Tsunoda has earned just seven. Following a series of races without points after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen remained the team’s consistent point scorer. However, at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Tsunoda showed progress by reducing his qualifying time difference relative to Verstappen.
This improvement coincided with upgrades to Tsunoda’s RB21 car, enhancements he had missed earlier in the season due to a crash during Emilia Romagna qualifying. Reflecting on his performance, Tsunoda shared his perspective:
“Looking back on the season so far, I can feel pretty positive, we’ve made progress, especially since the new floor upgrades were brought to Spa… The gap with Max continues to close, it may not feel like we are getting there but on paper we are only one tenth off his pace. I’m not sure many other drivers could get as close to him.”
— Yuki Tsunoda, Formula 1 Driver
“I am heading straight to the factory tomorrow to go into the [simulator]. We need to investigate where we went wrong and put in some hard work over the summer break so that we don’t start the next half of the season how we finished this one. It’s frustrating but we will stay positive and bounce back stronger.”
— Yuki Tsunoda, Formula 1 Driver
Tsunoda is Verstappen’s seventh different teammate during his F1 career and his third teammate change within the past year, a factor that adds complexity to building on-track rapport. Nevertheless, the Japanese driver is focused on steady improvement and closing the performance gap, which could benefit Red Bull’s overall dominance moving forward.
Impact of Their Growing Partnership on Red Bull and F1
The evolving dynamic between Tsunoda and Verstappen not only enriches their personal story but also strengthens Red Bull’s driver lineup. Tsunoda’s determination to learn and improve alongside a multi-time world champion like Verstappen could spur both drivers to deliver stronger results in the remaining calendar. As Tsunoda hones his skills and adapts to upgrades, he may become a more consistent contributor to the team’s championship efforts.
Looking ahead, the summer break will be key for Tsunoda to work closely with Red Bull’s engineers and simulators to refine his performance. Staying positive despite setbacks reflects his commitment to competing at the highest level. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s experience and approachability, evidenced by their off-track friendship, might foster a collaborative atmosphere that benefits the entire team.
Ultimately, their friendship, sparked in part by unexpected moments like sharing a gin and tonic, adds a human element to the intense world of Formula 1 competition, hinting at a promising future for both drivers under Red Bull’s banner.
