Yuki Tsunoda, born on May 11, 2000, in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a professional racing driver currently competing in Formula 1 for Red Bull Racing.
Known for his fiery determination and lightning-fast reflexes, Tsunoda made history as the first F1 driver born in the 21st century when he debuted with Scuderia AlphaTauri in 2021.
A product of both the Honda Formula Dream Project and the Red Bull Junior Team, Tsunoda’s journey from karting in Japan to the global stage of F1 has been nothing short of meteoric.
Siblings
Yuki has a younger sister, Riko Tsunoda.
While Yuki has kept much of his personal life private—a trait mirrored by his family—Riko has occasionally been spotted supporting her brother at races, cheering him on from the sidelines.
Unlike Yuki, she has not pursued a career in motorsport, and little is known about her personal or professional endeavors.
However, her presence at key moments in Yuki’s career underscores the tight-knit nature of the Tsunoda family, with Yuki himself acknowledging Riko as one of his biggest supporters.
Career
Tsunoda’s racing journey began at the tender age of four when his father introduced him to karting at the Nakai Inter Circuit.
By 2010, he was competing professionally in the JAF Junior Karting Championship, quickly progressing through regional and national classes.
Also Read: Nolan Gerard Funk Siblings: Get to Know Natanya Funk
In 2016, backed by Honda, Tsunoda transitioned to single-seater racing, making his debut in the F4 Japanese Championship.
His talent shone through in 2017 when he clinched the JAF Japan F4 East Series title, followed by a dominant 2018 season where he won the F4 Japanese Championship with seven victories.
In 2019, Tsunoda moved to Europe, joining Jenzer Motorsport in the FIA Formula 3 Championship and finishing ninth overall. That same year, he became part of the Red Bull Junior Team, a turning point that accelerated his path to F1.
His 2020 season in FIA Formula 2 with Carlin was a breakout moment—finishing third in the championship with three wins, he earned the Anthoine Hubert Award for the best rookie.
This performance secured his F1 debut with AlphaTauri in 2021, where he partnered with Pierre Gasly and achieved a career-best fourth-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Now in his fifth F1 season, Tsunoda joined Oracle Red Bull Racing in 2025, stepping up to race alongside Max Verstappen.
Accolades
Tsunoda’s trophy cabinet reflects his meteoric rise through motorsport ranks.
Among his notable achievements, he won the 2017 JAF Japan F4 East Series Championship, marking his first full championship victory.
This was followed by the 2018 F4 Japanese Championship Title, which he secured with seven wins and eight pole positions.
In 2020, he received the FIA Formula 2 Anthoine Hubert Award, recognizing him as the top rookie after finishing third in the championship.
His first F1 fastest lap came at the 2023 United States Grand Prix, showcasing his speed on the global stage.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
