Young pilot Tsunoda matures from teenager to adult in 2024.

Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver for RB Formula 1, impressed CEO Peter Bayer with his performances in 2024. Bayer praised Tsunoda for his growth and maturity over the past six months, stating that he has transitioned from a teenager to an adult. Tsunoda had a strong start to his fourth season in Formula 1, outperforming his more experienced teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, in the first four races. He scored points for the revamped RB team in Australia and Japan, finishing seventh and tenth, respectively. Despite pressure from midfield rivals, Tsunoda’s skillful pit stops and overtakes in Suzuka allowed him to secure the final point. Bayer compared Tsunoda’s result to a victory, as RB solidified their seventh-place position. The RB CEO also praised Tsunoda for handling the pressure from his Japanese supporters, who were eager to meet him and take photos with him. Tsunoda’s ability to stay focused during the race impressed Bayer, who highlighted his progress over the past six months. Tsunoda expressed his ambition to move up to the Red Bull main team, but Bayer believes that his continued success will also attract the attention of other teams. While no decisions have been made yet, Bayer is confident that Tsunoda’s consistent improvement will make him an interesting prospect for other teams.