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Tsunoda allowed to run at Nordschleife in a Honda NSX GT3 Evo

  • Darshan Chokhani
    • Yuki Tsunoda, F1

    BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - APRIL 30: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Scuderia AlphaTauri talks with Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on April 30, 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202304300508 // Usage for editorial use only //

    Yuki Tsunoda has been allowed by Red Bull to run at Nordschleife in September in a Honda NSX GT3 Evo after Max Verstappen wasn’t.

    AlphaTauri’s Tsunoda is to join Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel for a show run at Nordschleife during the 12 Hours of Nurburgring weekend on September 9. Unlike the former two, the Japanese will not drive a F1 car but a Honda NSX GT3 Evo.

    “I’ve never driven at the Nurburgring before, so I’m really looking forward to the event in September,” said Tsunoda. “I can’t wait to drive around it in my HONDA NSX GT3 Evo, which is an incredible car and a proven race-winning machine at the highest level of GT3 competition.

    “The Nordschleife is a legendary circuit, I just experienced it on the Gran Turismo videogame and already enjoyed it a lot,” summed up Tsunoda, who becomes the only driver – for now – from the regular F1 drivers lot to drive at Nordschleife.

    Interestingly, Tsunoda has been allowed to do the run at Nurburgring, but Verstappen wasn’t since the Dutchman would have gone the extra mile to set a new record at a tricky circuit. “We all know Max,” said Marko over the weekend in Canada.

    “First he would have checked what the record was. Of course he wouldn’t want to beat that just by a second. Those cars aren’t suited for chasing records. It’s too dangerous.” Marko’s saying was reciprocated by Verstappen as well, who agreed he would have done that way.

    “I wanted to do it, but I was not allowed by Helmut,” said Verstappen. He knew that I would try and go to the limits. I would have loved to do it. I didn’t want to start unnecessary issues. I heard this thing was coming up, and Helmut was sitting at the table when it came up, and he said: ‘No, no, no, you’re not doing that.”

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