Yuki Tsunoda has successfully returned to Formula 1 after a long absence of eight months, marking a notable performance during his first competition day at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The Racing Bulls driver managed to qualify in 12th position for the sprint race, a performance he described as ‘acceptably satisfactory’ while readapting to the new Formula 1 cars.
The absence of Isack Hadjar due to a hand injury allowed Tsunoda to take his place. The Japanese driver, who was a reserve for both Red Bull teams, has been given the opportunity to showcase his talent during this competition.
In the edition of his 115th race, Tsunoda completed a total of 35 laps in practice, achieving a time that placed him in 17th position. In the sprint qualifying format, he reduced the gap with his rookie teammate, Arvid Lindblad, to 0.433s in the first round and 0.360s in the second.
‘Everything felt new to me, in certain aspects I feel like I’m a beginner, as the pressure of brakes and other variables are quite different from last year’, commented Tsunoda after the session. ‘Despite the challenges, I’m satisfied with my performance in the qualifying and I want to keep improving’, he added.
This was Tsunoda’s first contact with the 2026 specification Formula 1 cars, which feature new engines with 47% electric power. As energy becomes a critical factor, the driver must manage his performance better compared to the previous generation of vehicles.
‘I hope to learn more about the car. I’m in the early stages, so it’s different. Some drivers have also had difficulties with the balance and brake power’, explained Tsunoda, who must quickly adapt to these changes.
With a total of 24 laps in the sprint race ahead, Tsunoda stated that his main goal is to accumulate experience, which could be vital for the rest of the weekend.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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