Yuki Tsunoda made his first public appearance since leaving the Formula 1 grid at the end of 2025 by participating in a showrun in San Francisco this past weekend. However, the event took an unexpected turn when the Red Bull RB7 he was driving suddenly caught fire, forcing him to abandon the car promptly for safety.
Details of the Incident and Tsunoda’s Role with Red Bull
Tsunoda was behind the wheel of Red Bull’s RB7, a car notable for securing the team’s 2011 championship. After entertaining the crowd with a series of donuts, he brought the vehicle to a stop. Shortly afterward, flames and smoke erupted from the car’s rear, prompting marshals and nearby spectators to urge Tsunoda to move away. Tsunoda remained composed and safely exited the situation without panic.
Currently serving as Red Bull Racing’s reserve driver, Tsunoda lost his race seat to Isack Hadjar at the conclusion of last season. His duties now focus on test and simulator work while representing Red Bull at promotional events, including this demonstration showrun.
Significance of the RB7 and History of Similar Incidents
The RB7 driven by Tsunoda is a pre-hybrid era Formula 1 car, famed for its distinctive sound and raw power. Sebastian Vettel piloted this model to his second world championship in 2011, winning 11 races that season. For modern showruns, Red Bull updates the car’s livery with current sponsors to maintain alignment with the team’s global branding.
This was not Tsunoda’s first experience with such a fire at a showrun. In 2024, while performing donuts in a 2012-spec Red Bull car at an event in Taiwan, Tsunoda encountered a similar fire incident. Additionally, the same RB7 chassis he drove in San Francisco had caught fire previously in 2014 during a demonstration in Russia with Alex Lynn behind the wheel.
Implications for Tsunoda and Red Bull Moving Forward
These repeated fire events during demonstration drives underline the challenges involved in running older, high-performance F1 machinery in public settings. While no injuries were reported, the incidents may prompt Red Bull to review safety measures during showruns. For Tsunoda, maintaining his role as reserve driver and brand ambassador remains important as he supports the team’s ongoing efforts on and off the track.
“Tsunoda remained calm, stepping clear of the burning machine without panic.” ?Damir Danny Mustafić, Eyewitness
