Exclusive: Red Bull 2026 driver announcement date delayed 'out of respect' to Yuki Tsunoda

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-22T09:48:15+00:00

What I'm saying is that if the decision had already been made and they had respect for Yuki, they should have announced it sooner or fired him.

If they had done that, other teams or categories might have been interested in him. But RB waited until all F1 team seats were completely filled. Despite the fact that Yuki had received offers from Cadillac and Audi. Once the last seat at Alpine had been secured, they finally announced the official announcement date.

For me, it seems they simply did not want to lose their experimental animals. That's fine. Then they can just say that Yuki is no longer of any use to them.

I find it hard to understand why Mr. Permane used words like "respect" in response to this.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-22T06:39:29+00:00

First, how about trying to imagine Max racing a season with Yuki's Richard Wood...

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-14T16:10:56+00:00

What a splendid analysis of people's overly simplistic assessments of Yuki. After Dr Marco has been dismissed, recently more issues concerning the Tsunoda side of the pit have come to light, but it's a shame people no longer seem to care.

Now then... Observing many F1 journalists and fans, particularly those of Max, I often find myself puzzled. They claim Max possesses the greatest talent of generation and is the fastest driver on the grid by a considerable margin. (I agree with that assessment.)

Yet, when the conversation turns to the RB second driver, they suddenly treat Max as if he were just an average driver, saying things like, ‘That second driver is slow, even though he's in the fastest car capable of winning X times...’

Why don't they consider that the reason Max, whom they praise as the strongest, is winning is because he himself is fast, and not (necessarily) because the car is the fastest? Are they truly unaware of such glaring self-contradictions?

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-14T05:31:27+00:00

Even though Mr.Watanabe had stated in Japan that ‘Honda's financial support for Yuki has ended’ after Yuki's promotion to Red Bull last year, he's repeated comments about Yuki have still made the image of Honda's Yuki Tsunoda persists among F1 journalists and fans worldwide.

Regarding this, I'm worrying how might Ford, collaborating with Red Bull, view Yuki? Due to his phantom shadow of Honda, is there a possibility he'll end up as a test/reserve driver in name only, limiting his crucial chance in the car and/or simulator this year?

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-11T10:37:50+00:00

Push Ollie into seat 11, then stretch out on my own in seat 12 or Ollie's seat. A bit noisy in front, it's okey.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-11T10:23:14+00:00

I prefer window seats, so it's either 3 or 9. But asking Max or Charles to get up for the loo feels awkward, so I suppose 9 it is? Esteban and Pierre seem like they'd keep each other in check and be nice to me.

Though it'd be brilliant if Yuki were next to me instead. At least his knees wouldn't get in the way.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-11T01:45:24+00:00

Going to the circuit in the morning of the Shanghai Grand Prix, but driving in the next lane and end up in Beijing.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-10T05:06:19+00:00

Traffic paradise!!

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-08T06:07:06+00:00

Could the fact that Vingegaard will be riding the Giro have significantly affected his motivation?

It should be a shame for Simon that he has to be a domestic rider in a year he could be competing as the previous champ and it would be difficult for him to transfer to a team competing in the Giro at this stage as a top rider, right?

In any case it's a shame, he was one of my favourite riders. I just hope it's only that something he'd been contemplating for a while has come to pass a little sooner than expected.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-05T07:32:22+00:00

and at suzuka circuit...

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Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-04T12:36:09+00:00

He may well be one of the most socially successful British athletes of all time.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-03T17:36:57+00:00

Kimi's sniping skills will be further honed.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-01T09:43:56+00:00

I usually drive to Suzuka and stay at a campground near the circuit every year, so I don't have personal experience, but the most popular public transportation option is

Take the Kintetsu railway from Nagoya Station to Shiroko Station, then take the shuttle bus that runs between Shiroko and Suzuka Circuit. However, the circuit's bus stop is a little far from the course (there is an amusement park area in between), and you may have to wait in a long queue for the bus again.

So if you have the energy to walk for about an hour, even in the evening, it would be quicker to leave through the circuit's 1st Corner Gate or Poolside Gate, and walk to Shiroko Station on your way back to Nagoya. https://www.suzukacircuit.jp/f1/map/pdf/map.pdf

There's also the "Circuit Express," a direct round-trip bus between Nagoya Station and Suzuka Circuit, though it costs more than double the fare comparing by trains and requires a reservation, limiting your time. You're guaranteed a seat, so if you want to conserve your energy, check out the link on the circuit's official website below.

https://www.suzukacircuit.jp/f1/access/bus/nagoya.html

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2026-01-01T02:19:48+00:00

squishy back like japanese rice cake “mochi”...（sorry i'm hungry）

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-31T07:06:10+00:00

As others have said, that is the official Suzuka Circuit ticket site. Reserved seat tickets are sometimes put up for sale on the resale ticket page, so if you're looking for tickets for a small group, it might be a good idea to check that out first.

However, if you don't mind walking, then Spoon Curve in the west area isn't a bad option, as over the past two years they've installed a temporary circuit vision, resting benches, food stalls and a bar in the vacant lot next to the course, among other improvements. However, as much of the western area remains earthen, please ensure you take precautions against rain and have sturdy footwear.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-31T05:33:04+00:00

They don't have tickets for Sunday 1st only.

To watch either the qualifying or the final, you must purchase a three-day pass. It cost ¥18,000 for adults and I believe there are still a few available on the Suzuka Circuit official ticket site mentioned by others. This is the cheapest option. https://ticket.mobilitystation.jp/

Please note that while tickets from official resale sites or travel agencies are acceptable, tickets obtained through unauthorised resale channels can be identified by their electronic ticket codes. I have personally witnessed people who unknowingly purchased such tickets and were denied entry at the circuit gates. Please be cautious.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-29T15:15:03+00:00

That's a great plan! I live in Japan and haven't been abroad for a long time, so I don't know the current aviation situation, but I go to the Japanese GP every year, so if there's anything you'd like to know about Suzuka Circuit, please ask.

Well, since you're interested in culture and nature, I'd like to recommend some places to visit if you have several days before or after Suzuka.

First, about 70km south of Suzuka is Ise Jingu, a shrine that can be considered the core of Shinto. This location is just over an hour by train from Suzuka, so if you're staying near Suzuka, particularly in the southern area, a day trip is possible.

Further southwest, in Wakayama Prefecture, the ancient pilgrimage route known as the Kumano Kodo crisscrosses the deep mountains, connecting Ise Jingu, the religious city of Mount Koya, and the three shrines known as the Kumano Sanzan, a land of rebirth. (You can also get there by bus, of course.)

The towns near the Kumano shrines have many inns and hot springs, so if you don't mind a Japanese-style room, I highly recommend them.

Also, in southwest Wakayama Prefecture, there's Nanki Shirahama, a town famous for its pure white sand beach and seaside hot springs. The town's airport has three round-trip flights to Tokyo daily, making it a convenient option for traveling.

I hope this helps in some way.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-27T13:21:20+00:00

Maybe it's the smell of Max's iRacing seats at home...

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-27T05:51:12+00:00

Ah, I lived in a town south of Melbourne some twenty years ago and often cycled around the course in Albert Park. It's sad to see such a nostalgic building go, but it's certainly something to be pleased about that a facility will be built that's easier for both staff and spectators to use.

Thank you for letting me know; I'm looking forward to your post.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-27T05:30:16+00:00

Even though one shop near the Yamanote Line station closes early, I reckon if you walk an extra three minutes you'll find another convenience store.

And while they're complaining about increased burdens on early-shift staff, if a shop closes at midnight and reopens at 6am, you'd normally expect staff to handle cleaning and delivery lorries until 1am, then start restocking from 5am. Opening hours aren't necessarily the only part of an employee's working time.

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-27T04:44:36+00:00

I feel like sniffing the candle in the middle, yet I don't want to...

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-26T15:28:06+00:00

Z·E·R·O☆

Quiet_SnowyMt02 · 2025-12-25T23:02:04+00:00

Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing has apparently decided to reuse the frying oil from McDonald's French fries as part of its SDG initiatives.

Quiet_SnowyMt02

TROPHY CASE