Yuki Tsunoda's 2024 Formula 1 season at RB was a pivotal year, showcasing a matured approach and consistent performance that frequently positioned him as the team's leading driver amidst a tightly contested midfield.
Going in
Entering his fourth season in Formula 1, all with the Faenza-based squad (now rebranded as RB), Yuki Tsunoda faced renewed expectations for consistency and a definitive step forward. The 2024 season, firmly within the tunnel-floor ground-effect regulations, saw the field closing up significantly, placing a premium on driver performance and strategic execution. Tsunoda's teammate was the experienced Daniel Ricciardo, a driver with Grand Prix victories and a well-established reputation. This pairing presented a clear benchmark for Tsunoda, offering an opportunity to solidify his standing within the Red Bull driver pool and the wider F1 grid. The RB team, while still a midfield outfit, aimed to capitalize on the tighter regulations to make more frequent appearances in the points.
How it played out
The 2024 season saw Tsunoda deliver a more composed and effective campaign than in previous years. From the outset, he demonstrated an improved ability to extract performance from the RB car, particularly in qualifying. He frequently found himself ahead of Ricciardo on Saturday, translating that pace into stronger starting positions. This consistent qualifying edge was often converted into valuable points finishes on Sundays, a testament to his enhanced race management and reduced error rate. The RB car itself proved to be a capable midfield runner, occasionally challenging for the upper end of the top ten on circuits that suited its characteristics. Tsunoda's ability to maximize these opportunities was key to the team's constructors' championship efforts. When Liam Lawson replaced Ricciardo mid-season, Tsunoda maintained his performance level, demonstrating that his pace and consistency were not dependent on the specific teammate dynamic but rather a reflection of his own growth. This consistent performance contrasted with some of the challenges faced by drivers in less competitive machinery, reminiscent of Fernando Alonso — 2015 season or Fernando Alonso — 2017 season where a driver's skill was tested against the car's limitations.