# Yuki Tsunoda — 2024 season

Source: https://www.thef1formula.com/seasons/yuki-tsunoda-2024
Last updated: 2026-07-01

> Yuki Tsunoda's 2024 season with Racing Bulls saw him secure 30 points and a 12th-place championship finish, marked by consistent midfield scoring and notable qualifying efforts.

Yuki Tsunoda's 2024 Formula 1 season was characterized by a significant step forward in consistency and a notable ability to extract performance from the Racing Bulls package, culminating in 30 championship points and a 12th place in the Drivers' Championship.

## Going in

Heading into 2024, the Formula 1 landscape continued to evolve within the ground-effect era, with the field generally closing up after Red Bull's dominant 2022–2023 campaigns. Racing Bulls, the rebranded AlphaTauri outfit, aimed to solidify its position in the competitive midfield. For Yuki Tsunoda, this season represented an opportunity to build on his prior development and establish himself as a consistent points scorer, demonstrating the maturity and race craft necessary to lead the team's charge.

## How it played out

Tsunoda's season began with a strong run of form, securing points in five of the first eight races. His P7 finish at the Australian Grand Prix was a crucial early statement, followed by a P10 at his home race in Japan. Further P7s in Miami and P10s at Imola and Monaco underscored his ability to consistently extract performance from the RB car in the early part of the year. This initial phase positioned him as a reliable points threat in a tightly packed midfield.

The mid-season presented a tougher challenge, with a stretch from the Canadian Grand Prix through to the Mexican Grand Prix yielding only single points finishes at Silverstone and Hungary. This period also saw three of his four DNFs: a collision at the Chinese Grand Prix, an overheating issue at the Italian Grand Prix, and collision damage in Azerbaijan, followed by another collision in Mexico. Despite these setbacks, Tsunoda demonstrated resilience.

The latter part of the season saw a resurgence, highlighted by a strong P7 finish at the São Paulo Grand Prix, achieved after starting from an impressive P3 on the grid. He followed this with a P9 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Ultimately, Tsunoda concluded the season with 30 points, placing him 12th in the Drivers' Championship, without any wins or podiums across the 24 races.

## Defining moments

Several moments defined Tsunoda's 2024 campaign. His qualifying prowess was particularly evident, securing top-10 grid slots at circuits like Imola (P7), Monaco (P8), and most notably, São Paulo (P3). These performances often placed him in prime positions to fight for points. The Australian Grand Prix's P7 finish was a significant early highlight, demonstrating his capability to capitalize on opportunities. The São Paulo Grand Prix, where he converted a rare front-row start into valuable points, showcased his improved race management under pressure. This ability to maximize a car's potential, even when not consistently at the front, draws parallels with experienced drivers like [Fernando Alonso — 2018 season](/seasons/fernando-alonso-2018), who often extracted strong results from challenging machinery.

## What it meant

Yuki Tsunoda's 2024 season solidified his position as a key asset for Racing Bulls. He consistently proved to be the team's primary points scorer, often elevating the car beyond its inherent pace. His contribution was vital for the team's Constructors' Championship standing, a testament to his continuous development, echoing the impact a single driver can have on team results, much like [Fernando Alonso — 2016 season](/seasons/fernando-alonso-2016) demonstrated in his tenure. The season showcased improved race craft, better tire management, and more consistent strategic execution. This sustained performance in a highly competitive midfield environment, as detailed on the [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en), has strengthened his standing within the Red Bull driver program.

His ability to adapt and perform under the current [Wikipedia: Formula One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One) regulations, which emphasize ground-effect aerodynamics, positions him well for future seasons. The detailed data from his performances, available through resources like [Jolpica/Ergast — 2026 season data](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json), will be crucial for ongoing evaluations. Tsunoda's journey reflects the constant challenge for drivers to consistently deliver and secure their place in the sport, a narrative seen across many careers, including perhaps [Fernando Alonso — 2019 season](/seasons/fernando-alonso-2019) during his varying team tenures.