Throwback Video: Yuki Tsunoda tricks Max Verstappen to say 'Yuki is faster than me'

Multiple reports were coming from the Red Bull camp after a top-level emergency meeting. The unofficial reports claim Yuki Tsunoda will be the new Red Bull driver from the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. Red Bull still needs to confirm the news, as many expect an official announcement by the end of this week. But the biggest problem here is that Yuki will move from a good car to a bad car, which could spoil his career if he doesn't perform well.

The Red Bull car has a very sharp front end, and only Max Verstappen can control the car without spinning. Due to a loose rear end, drivers are not confident about the car while taking the corners and are going slow because of fear of crashing. The same happened with Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson. 

Only Sergio Perez adapted to the car well from 2021 to 2023. But in 2024, the car lost its balance, and Perez couldn’t go faster. So Yuki Tsunoda is playing a knife game, and there is no time for complaints as he should perform straightaway as soon as he gets inside the car.

But it was a dream of Yuki Tsunoda's to drive a Red Bull car, and we hope he will be able to adapt to it. Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are great friends and get along well. But what if? Yuki goes quicker than Verstappen and silences everyone.

WATCH: Max Verstappen acknowledges Yuki's faster than him

Bringing this clip back now that they’re gonna be teammates! 🤩#f1#formula1#sportsinfoxtreme#maxverstappen#YukiTsunoda#redbull#VCARB#JapaneseGPpic.twitter.com/ciZ3k0nut0

— SportsInfo Xtreme (@Sportsinfo22073) March 26, 2025

Even Max Verstappen once said Yuki Tsunoda is faster than him during a live interview.  The video was taken at the 2021 Belgium Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps circuit. It was the 50th Formula 1 race celebration between Red Bull and Honda. Max was fighting for his first title with the most powerful car on the grid, having a Honda-powered engine. 

Yuki Tsunoda was a Honda-backed driver, and both were present to mark the memorable occasion. Yuki tricked Max Verstappen into saying, ‘Yuki is faster than me.' Tsunoda first taught the words in Japanese to verstappen. Then he read the question in Japanese. Innocent Max verstappen just delivered the answer in Japanese.

Tsunoda then revealed the real meaning of the question in English, and Verstappen burst into laughter. The two drivers would make a nice team, and if Yuki performs well this year, he could even get a driver seat next year with the same team. 

Earlier this year, Christian Horner talked about releasing Yuki Tsunoda from their driver contract as he felt they could not keep a driver without promotion for many years. But now, Yuki has become the most wanted man as he performs outstandingly well on the VCARB team. 

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