Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that the phone call which brought him back to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls came while he was enjoying a beach holiday. The Japanese driver will race at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, replacing Liam Lawson, who has moved up to Red Bull to cover for the injured Isack Hadjar.
The surprising decision was announced by Red Bull on Wednesday, after Hadjar suffered a wrist injury during the F1 summer break. Tsunoda, who had previously lost his full-time race seat, now has a golden opportunity to prove his worth again in the bustling Zandvoort paddock.
Recounting the last-minute call, Tsunoda said, "I was with my manager and friends in Greece, spending time together. I was on the beach. I wasn't just hanging around; I was still training. But at the moment I received the call from my manager, I was pretty relaxed, watching the beautiful ocean."
"I suddenly got a call, 'OK, you have to go to the UK.' I was in Greece for just 24 hours, and they already want me to go to the UK? I asked, 'Why?' - 'Maybe you might race this week.' OK, that's where I'm going!" he added.
Tsunoda admitted the surprise but insisted he is ready both physically and mentally. "It was very unexpected. I'm actually quite calm and looking forward to it. This is the moment I've been waiting for. Watching from the screen every race, I really wanted to be back and drive," he said.
He also stressed that he is in good shape thanks to regular training and TPC experience. "Physically and mentally, I think I'm sharp enough. I've been training almost every day. I have plenty of time to train because I had nothing else to do. I've also done four TPCs with five race distances. I'm pretty sharp," he explained.
Despite the unexpected nature of the opportunity, Tsunoda remains unfazed. "It's definitely a good opportunity. There's no better time than this. It's always better to drive and show what I can do rather than just talk. I know what I can do, but it's hard to prove without driving," he said.
"Thanks to Red Bull and Racing Bulls for this opportunity. I'll use the race to show something good about myself. Most importantly, I'll enjoy it. Obviously, I'd love a seat next year, but that's not in my control. For now, I'm just focusing on enjoying this moment," Tsunoda concluded.
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