Yuki Tsunoda described the Purple Bull automobile as “very totally different” to what he’s used to, after an encouraging maiden take a look at for the squad on Tuesday at Yas Marina Circuit.
The Japanese was lastly given a correct take a look at in one in every of Purple Bull’s automobiles in the course of the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre take a look at.
Whereas lap occasions had been largely irrelevant due to the totally different run programmes that everybody was doing, Tsunoda stated that he had by no means been happier than when lapping within the RB20 which completed third within the 2024 constructors’ standings.
“You’ll be able to bodily really feel why the RB20 has been preventing for a championship this yr, it appears like a really totally different automobile to drive,” he stated.
“We now have had a really proactive day right this moment so I’m actually pleased with that. There’s nonetheless a variety of studying that I’ve to do, however the group have completed an awesome job of getting ready such an awesome run right this moment. It has been such an fulfilling ambiance within the storage.”
Tsunoda stated earlier than the run that he anticipated himself to be nicely suited to the automobile’s traits after attempting it out within the simulator, and that proved to be the case.
Yuki Tsunoda, Purple Bull Racing RB20
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
“I really feel just like the automobile fits my driving type and I have not struggled a lot in any respect to adapt,” he added.
“Even on the lengthy runs I’ve been capable of run persistently right this moment and was capable of really feel the constraints of the automobile which, if you do not have confidence within the automobile, you’re unable to check.
“I’m completely satisfied greater than ever in the mean time, and ensuring that the group have the knowledge that they require from every run was a very powerful factor to get out of right this moment.”
Tsunoda is hoping that some optimistic suggestions from the take a look at can persuade Purple Bull’s bosses to advertise him to the principle squad subsequent yr if it goes forward and chooses to drop Sergio Perez.
The outfit has beforehand been reluctant to take action due to considerations about Tsunoda’s temperament and stage of technical suggestions.
Nevertheless, it was fascinating that head of efficiency Ben Waterhouse stated afterwards that he had been impressed with how the 24-year-old operated.
Isack Hadjar, Purple Bull Racing RB20
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
“We had Yuki in our automobile for the primary time and Isack [Hadjar] driving RB20 once more following his latest outing in FP1 on the race weekend,” he defined.
“We efficiently accomplished the precedence take a look at gadgets on each automobiles with each drivers performing to a really excessive stage and delivering precisely what we anticipated from them.
“Yuki offered wonderful suggestions on the assorted checks carried out on the 2025 Pirelli tyres providing useful perception on the tyre adjustments Pirelli will introduce for subsequent yr, whereas Isack did an awesome job and efficiently accomplished all of the procedural aero checks within the morning earlier than performing each lengthy and brief runs evaluating a spread of take a look at gadgets within the afternoon.”
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