EARLY LIFE
Yuki Tsunoda was born on 11 May 2001 in Sagamihara, Japan. Yuki shared most of his life with his father. His father had an interest in racing from the start and even participated in several races. The racing passion of his father inspired Yuki to participate in karting races. When he was 10, he joined the JAF Junior Karting Championship and later progressed to regional and national categories. Tsunoda’s father helped in coaching him about the primary requisites for racing.
EARLY CAREER
1. 2016–2018: Japanese Formula 4
In 2006, Yuki Tsunoda completed his studies at Honda’s Suzuka Circuit Racing School. He joined the Honda Formula Dream after graduating in advanced formula class. His debut in single-seater racing came in the F4 Japanese Championship in the same year. He finished second in his 1st race and fourth in his 2nd race to claim his first podium.
Yuki Tsunoda was racing single-seaters for the first time in 2017 when he competed in the F4 Japanese Championship. Besides that, he was also participating in the JAF F4 Japanese Championship’s East Regional East Series. He secured the third position in the national Formula 4 championship and got the regional series title. In both championships, he drove for Honda.
As of 2018, Yuki Tsunoda continued to compete in Japanese F4 with the Honda Formula Dream Project team. He was declared the winner, having racked up seven victories.
2. 2019: FIA Formula 3 and Euroformula Open
In addition to being a member of the Honda program, Tsunoda also joined the junior Red Bull team. Tsunoda joined Jenzer Motorsport in the newly formed Formula 3 Championship at the end of 2018. His season ended in 9th place in the championship with three podiums and one win scoring all the points for the Jenzer team.
Yuki Tsunoda also raced in the Euroformula Open Championship for Motopark. After finishing second in the first race at Paul Ricard and third in the Pau Grand Prix, Tsunoda won his first championship title in the second race at Hockenheim.
3. 2020: FIA Formula 2 Championship
As the year started, Yuki shifted to Carlin Motorsport for the FIA Formula 2 Championship. As a result of his best performances, he won three races, took four pole positions, won seven podiums in the season 2020, and secured third place in the championship with 200 points.
FORMULA ONE
Scuderia Alpha Tauri announced in August 2020 that Yuki Tsunoda would be a rookie test driver in Abu Dhabi. He took his first test drive in a car of 2018-spec in Italy. In January 2021, he tested another Formula One car at Imola, but it was a 2019 car from Toro Rosso.
AlphaTauri (2021– Till Date)
He filled Daniil Kvyat’s position for the 2021 season. Tsunoda finished 9th in Bahrain, the first race of the season. At the end of the race, F1’s director referred to Tsunoda as the sport’s best rookie in his remarks.
AlphaTauri decided to keep Tsunoda and Gasly together through 2022.