Worlds collided when Trackhouse Racing teammates Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch met up with RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson in Texas earlier this yr. All 4 Pink Bull athletes obtained collectively to see what would occur if you put an F1 driver in a inventory automobile on a dust oval no much less.
Van Gisbergen is a three-time Supercars champion who turned a full-time NASCAR driver after his beautiful Cup win debut within the 2023 Chicago Avenue Course race. Zilisch is not any slouch both as one of many greatest rising stars on the planet of inventory automobile racing, this yr successful his Xfinity debut race at simply 18 years outdated and snagging a category win within the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
Each have been there to teach the F1 pilots as they discovered their method across the observe. Tsunoda, who’s presently competing in his fourth full-time season as an F1 driver, was paired with Zilisch. To the shock of none, SVG chosen his fellow Kiwi (Lawson).
Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson
Photograph by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
With a helpful ‘Dust 101’ whiteboard, the NASCAR stars knowledgeable Tsunoda and Lawson of what awaited them within the challenges forward. They defined the vehicles and the way they function, however maybe it could have been less complicated to invoke the immortal phrases of Doc Hudson: “Flip proper to go left.”
With assist from their NASCAR coaches, the 2 drivers began their check with ‘discovering the road’ — retaining the automobile inside two bollards whereas ripping across the observe. Tsunoda nailed it on his first strive, nevertheless it did not go as easily for Lawson. SVG famous he needed Lawson “up on the fence,” however Lawson maybe took that too actually, clobbering one of many outer bollards that lined the wall. Nevertheless, he had a little bit of redemption within the ‘cornering velocity’ check that adopted as Tsunoda misplaced the tail and spun out. Sure, swear phrases did come throughout the radio, however would we’ve got anticipated the rest?
Now on equal floor, it is on to qualifying the place Tsunoda re-asserted himself with a lap time a couple of tenths sooner than Lawson. It gave Tsunoda the popular line for the beginning with the 2 NASCAR drivers recognizing them from above. Zilisch fastidiously defined the place the acceleration zone was however the fiery Japanese driver wasn’t very . “I am going every time I need so inform Liam that,” he radioed.
Liam Lawson
Photograph by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
In the meantime, SVG had some very NASCAR-esque recommendation for his countryman. “You are additionally on the within for Flip 1 so do not be afraid to feed him a proper rear.”
Tsunoda took early management however Lawson was preventing arduous to stick with him over the course of the five-lap dash race. He did feed him that proper rear about midway by the race, however Tsunoda appeared unfazed and carried on. In a slide job that may make filth racing ace (and 2021 NASCAR Cup champion) Kyle Larson proud, Lawson completely despatched it in on Tsunoda to lastly take the lead. Though he utterly cleared him, Tsunoda was intelligent sufficient to cross again underneath him and snag the victory.
Actually, Tsunoda’s solely hiccup was holding the trophy backwards throughout the post-race celebrations, however a urgent query stays: When can we get to see them face off towards their NASCAR counterparts?
You’ll be able to watch and benefit from the shenanigans within the Pink Bull Motorsports video under.
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