Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda is a Japanese racing driver competing for RB in Formula One. Born on May 11, 2000, in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Tsunoda started professional karting at nine years old. In 2016, he gained support from Honda under the Honda Formula Dream Project. He won the East Series in 2017 and the F4 Japanese Championship one year later. In 2019, Tsunoda stepped into races of the FIA Formula 3 with the Jenzer Motorsport. In 2020, Tsunoda finished the year in third of his rookie season of Formula 2 for Carlin Motorsport.

Tsunoda was a competitor with the Red Bull Junior Team from the end of 2019 to the end of 2020 and secured a seat for AlphaTauri in the Formula 1 series. He would race on a Honda power unit for the 2021 season. He teamed up with Pierre Gasly in his first year and had his best finish at Abu Dhabi in fourth place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In the following years, in 2022 and 2023, he remained with AlphaTauri, teammates Nyck de Vries and then Daniel Ricciardo. From 2024 onwards, the team will be branded as RB, and Tsunoda will remain with the RB team till at least the 2025 season.

Tsunoda has had a consistent run in the ongoing 2024 season with RB and produced some strong performances. He clinched an 8th-place finish at Monaco Grand Prix and 4 points. So far, he has accumulated 22 points this season, important for the team in the fight at the crowded midfield.

Yuki Tsunoda Personal Information

Yuki Tsunoda’s Early Life

Yuki Tsunoda started showing a keen interest in motorsport at an early age. LCA International Elementary School and Nihon University Third High School were the institutions where Tsunoda went through his elementary and secondary school years. He moved on to Wako High School before joining the Faculty of Sport Management at Nippon Sport Science University in 2019. He had to leave to fully concentrate on his racing career.

Tsunoda started karting professionally when he was nine years old in the JAF Junior Karting Championship. Tsunoda began racing through the regional and national karting circuits in 2014. By 2016 he graduated from Honda's Suzuka Circuit Racing School and joined the Honda Formula Dream Project. He entered single-seater racing by participating in the F4 Japanese Championship, where he scored a podium in his very first race. Tsunaoda spent his 2017 full season racing in the F4 Japanese Championship, scoring his maiden victory at Okayama and securing the title for the JAF F4 East Series. In 2017, he completed third in the national F4 Championship. Tsunoda carried on to be dominant, securing seven wins and the F4 Japanese Championship title in 2018. His succession through the levels of racing brought opportunities in FIA Formula 3, followed by Formula 2.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Personal Life

Yuki Tsunoda has a lively and colorful life outside of racing and has been making many amiable friends in F1, especially among other drivers like Pierre Gasly. Tsunoda also has a long-standing friendship with Kazuto Kotaka, a fellow Japanese driver whom he has been friends with since childhood. Tsunoda’s favorite hobbies he would be playing online games. For sure, he particularly adores "Apex Legends." The boy even tends to spend 10 hours just playing. He usually does that to spend his spare time. Also, Tsunoda is a foodie. He likes cooking and tasting different foods. Among his favorite dishes are Mexican foods.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Family Background

Yuki Tsunoda comes from an ever-supportive family background which has highly influenced his racing career. His father, Nobuaki Tsunoda, happened to be a mechanic while raising Yuki. His father encouraged him to do karting after seeing his racing interests. His mother Minako Tsunodahas has also been a source of support throughout his journey. Information is limited to having siblings. Yuki's family has been instrumental in his development as a driver, attending races and guiding him.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Social Media

Yuki Tsunoda is quite active on social media and keeps engaging with his fans, giving them a glimpse into his life as a Formula 1 driver.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yukitsunoda0511/

Tsunoda keeps his followers updated on the racing side of things and his private life, not to forget his gaming hobbies. Photos of behind-the-scenes work from races and workouts.

X: https://twitter.com/yukitsunoda07

He maintains an open line of communication with his followers on a casual basis throughout the racing event and is rather funny in general; there is much shown of his humor as well as perspectives of the sport from his posts.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Net Worth

As of October 2024, the net worth of Yuki Tsunoda is estimated to be $5 million as per Celebrity Net Worth. The money comes from his annual basic AlphaTauri salary of around $1 million alongside other endorsement deals with organizations like Protex and Platz. This is a combined sum of the racing wages and sponsorship deal which generally formula one drivers collect.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Brand Ambassador

Yuki Tsunoda is an ambassador for several top brands. Through his exposure on the track, he markets their products and services to millions of people around the globe. Some of his significant endorsement deals include

• Protex - a Japanese OEM cosmetics manufacturer.

• Platz - a pet supply company.

• Arai Helmets - a helmet manufacturer that provides safety gear for Tsunoda.

• Bulk Homme - a cosmetic firm with men's skincare.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Career Stats

• Career Stats

• Total Races in F1: 86

• Podium Places: 0

• Races Won: 0

• World Championships: 0

Formula 2, Tsunoda had a more successful run

• Total Races in F2: 24

• Wins: 3

• Podium Finishes: 7

Yuki Tsunoda’s Formula 1 Records

Tsunoda has not yet won or achieved a podium finish in Formula 1 but does hold the record as the smallest driver to have competed so far, at a height of only 1.59 meters, 5 feet 2 inches, and to date his first fastest lap was during the 2023 United States Grand Prix.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Contract

Yuki Tsunoda is contracted to Red Bull's junior team Visa Cash App RB for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Current Contract Details

• Team: Visa Cash App RB

• Contract Period: 2024 - 2025

• Base Salary: $1,000,000 per year

• Signing Bonus: $22

Contract Extension: Red Bull exercised their option of retaining Tsunoda for the 2025 season after the Japanese showed he could consistently fight well in the top 10 in many races through 2024. Tsunoda touted his drive for relief after he was able to continue with the team, underlining his importance to the ongoing development project at their hands and his commitment to improving his performance.

Past Contracts

AlphaTauri (2021 - 2023)

• 2021: Signed a one-year contract with AlphaTauri with a base salary of $500,000.

• 2022: Extended one year at $750,000.

• 2023: Stayed with AlphaTauri for $1,000,000.

The talent and promise that Tsunoda has shown through the years with AlphaTauri propelled him now to Red Bull. His consistent results and development as a driver helped in securing his extension within the team.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Awards

Yuki Tsunoda’s Diet

Yuki Tsunoda does follow a very strict diet for what a driver in F1 should train as. He puts a lot of protein in his diet to help his muscles recover from all the tugging and pulling in their seats, and he keeps them at strength. Of course, there is carbohydrate intake to have your energy. The Japanese driver stresses hydration, often consuming electrolytes to stay replenished during a weekend of racing. He also adds variety to fruits and vegetables from which the necessary vitamins and minerals can be obtained, extremely important for good physical conditioning.

Yuki Tsunoda’s House

Yuki Tsunoda has just moved to Faenza in Italy, where he stays in a villa courtesy of his Visa Cash App RB crew, better known as AlphaTauri. It's been a strategic move to keep him closer to the team's headquarters for better coordination with his crew in the buildup of races.

Yuki Tsunoda’s Cars

AT01

• Team: Scuderia AlphaTauri

• Debut: 2021 Season

AT02

• Team: Scuderia AlphaTauri

• Season: 2022

AT03

• Team: Scuderia AlphaTauri

• Season: 2023

VCARB 01

• Team: Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri)

• Season: 2024

RB18

• Team: Oracle Red Bull Racing (for special events)