Yuki Tsunoda's Thrilling Return to Red Bull F1 Takes a Fiery Turn!
In a dramatic twist that no one saw coming, Yuki Tsunoda's much-anticipated return to the Red Bull Formula 1 team became a nail-biting spectacle as flames erupted from the RB7 during a fan event in San Francisco this past weekend! The Japanese driver was showcasing the iconic 2011 championship-winning car at a promotional showrun when the excitement turned into chaos, abruptly halting the festivities.
Eyewitness accounts and explosive social media footage captured the moment of horror as the rear of the car erupted into flames right after Tsunoda executed a series of thrilling donuts. Fortunately, the fearless driver managed to exit the vehicle unscathed, calmly walking to safety while dedicated safety teams rushed to extinguish the fire. A Red Bull spokesperson revealed the cause of the inferno, stating, “Following an extended demo run, Yuki performed routine burnouts in the 2011 RB7. The exhaust system overheated, igniting the rear of the car. The fire was quickly extinguished by on-site marshals, and no one was injured.”
This exhilarating demonstration was part of Red Bull Racing's strategy to rev up their presence in the United States as they gear up for the 2026 season. However, Tsunoda's role has shifted dramatically since he was replaced by Isack Hadjar at the end of last year, leaving him to serve as a reserve driver. This incident marked Tsunoda's first appearance in this new capacity, reflecting a phase reminiscent of Daniel Ricciardo's time as a reserve driver, which included similar high-octane showcases.
Joining Tsunoda on this electrifying occasion were renowned personalities like Ford off-road superstar Mitch Guthrie, freestyle motocross ace Aaron Colton, and former F1 driver Scott Speed. However, it wasn't just Tsunoda encountering trouble; a video surfaced showing Speed narrowly avoiding disaster after making contact with the barriers in F1 machinery.
The RB7, a powerful relic from the pre-hybrid era of F1, roared through the streets of San Francisco, reminiscent of its glory days when Sebastian Vettel clinched his second world championship title, dominating the season with an impressive 11 Grand Prix victories. For promotional events like this, the vintage car is adorned with new sponsor decals to keep the Red Bull brand shining globally.
Interestingly, this fiery incident isn't Tsunoda's first brush with danger during an exhibition. A similar situation unfolded in 2024 during a showrun in Taiwan, where a 2012-spec Red Bull car also caught fire while he was performing donuts. Furthermore, the very 2011 car Tsunoda was driving this past weekend had a fiery moment back in 2014 during a showrun in Russia, with former Red Bull junior driver Alex Lynn at the wheel. Thankfully, in all these incidents, the fires were swiftly controlled, and there were no reports of injuries.
As the dust settles on this sensational event, fans are left buzzing with anticipation over what comes next for Tsunoda and Red Bull Racing. Will this fiery mishap ignite a new chapter in Tsunoda's career, or is it just another chapter in the high-risk world of Formula 1? Stay tuned as we continue to follow this thrilling saga!
