Yuki Tsunoda sees Dutch GP return as chance to ‘sell’ himself for 2027
Yuki Tsunoda has opened up on his F1 return with Racing Bulls.
Yuki Tsunoda is looking to “sell” himself with his on-track performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, having returned to the grid after Isack Hadjar injured his wrist.
Racing Bulls announced in the build-up to the Dutch Grand Prix that Tsunoda would fill in for Liam Lawson in Zandvoort as the New Zealander would be taking Hadjar’s Red Bull seat.
Yuki Tsunoda targets strong Racing Bulls return at Dutch Grand Prix
The Racing Bulls statement read: “Visa Cash App Racing Bulls can confirm that Liam Lawson will race for Oracle Red Bull Racing at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend due to Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury.
“As a result of the driver change, reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda will race for Racing Bulls in Zandvoort this weekend alongside Arvid Lindblad.
“We thank both Liam and Yuki for their adaptability as the teams prepare for the weekend and we wish Isack a speedy recovery.”
The Grand Prix weekend marks Tsunoda’s first on-track experience of the all-new F1 2026 cars.
Although he had worked in Red Bull’s simulator and driven in four private TPC outings this year, he had yet to turn a wheel in anger in the new cars before Friday’s FP1.
Tsunoda covered 35 laps in practice, where he finished with the 17th fastest time, before qualifying 12th fastest for the 100km Sprint race.
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Tsunoda is determined to build on that in an audition for F1 2027.
Although the Japanese driver has been linked to a move away from Formula 1 with IndyCars, the 26-year-old is keen to use this weekend’s performance to show the world – F1 and other series – what he can do.
“It’s always good to perform, which I’m always aiming for. And anyway, I gotta give my 100 per cent performance,” Tsunoda told PlanetF1.com and other accredited media in Zandvoort.
“And I think, to be honest, having this and not having this kind of opportunity is a lot different because, you know, obviously chatting with teams, it’s always sell myself with talking.
“But you want to always prove [by] driving, so it’s good.
“But, like I said, I waited for this moment, so like I just want to have fun.”
“I recognise how difficult, and how special, it is to here,” he continued. “So, no matter that situation, I’m very grateful.
“And if this becomes a trigger for next year, that hopefully I’m driving here, that’s something that I’m very happy with and feel lucky.
“So, but yeah, it’s always that it’s not my control anyway. So what I can do is just enjoy and perform.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher
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