{"id":975,"date":"2026-08-20T11:57:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:57:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=975"},"modified":"2026-08-20T11:57:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T14:57:22","slug":"yuki-tsunoda-reveals-he-was-on-the-beach-when-called-up-by-racing-bulls-for-zandvoort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/yuki-tsunoda-reveals-he-was-on-the-beach-when-called-up-by-racing-bulls-for-zandvoort\/","title":{"rendered":"Tsunoda reveals he was on the beach when called up by Racing Bulls for Zandvoort"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Beach day interrupted:<\/strong> Yuki Tsunoda revealed he was on a beach in Greece when he received the emergency call to replace Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls for the Dutch Grand Prix.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Red Bull driver reshuffle:<\/strong> Lawson was called up to Red Bull to replace the injured Isack Hadjar, who suffered a wrist injury during a boxing workout, opening the door for Tsunoda&#8217;s return to the grid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fully prepared:<\/strong> Despite the short notice, Tsunoda expressed full confidence in his physical fitness and driving rhythm, having completed extensive Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions throughout the season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being a reserve driver sometimes brings unusual situations, especially when it involves a last-minute call-up to race \u2014 precisely what happened to Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver revealed he was enjoying the final moments of his summer break on a beach in Greece when he received the call informing him he would be stepping in for the Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The opportunity arose following a wrist injury sustained by Isack Hadjar during a boxing training session. Liam Lawson was drafted in to cover for the Frenchman at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Red Bull<\/a>, leaving the New Zealander&#8217;s seat at Racing Bulls open for Tsunoda this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I was with my manager and some friends in Greece spending time together. I was on the beach,&#8221; Tsunoda told <strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> during Thursday&#8217;s (20) press conference in Zandvoort when asked how he received the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to create a narrative that I was just enjoying the beach the whole time!&#8221; he joked. &#8220;I kept training and everything. But when I found out from my manager, I was on the beach, relaxed, looking at the beautiful, wonderful sea.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Suddenly, I got a call: &#8216;You need to go back to the UK.&#8217; I had only been in Greece for 24 hours, and they already wanted me in the UK. I asked why, and they said, &#8216;You might have to race this week,'&#8221; added Tsunoda, who was Max Verstappen&#8217;s teammate last year, except for the opening two grands prix of 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year, however, Tsunoda lost his seat to Hadjar, who made a strong impression during his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1<\/a> rookie campaign with Racing Bulls. Nevertheless, Tsunoda remained heavily involved in development work, which is why he believes a lack of track sharpness will not be an issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/abu-dhabi-2025-f1-quinta-feira-red-bull-yuki-tsunoda-03-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1001040552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/abu-dhabi-2025-f1-quinta-feira-red-bull-yuki-tsunoda-03-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/abu-dhabi-2025-f1-quinta-feira-red-bull-yuki-tsunoda-03-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/abu-dhabi-2025-f1-quinta-feira-red-bull-yuki-tsunoda-03-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/abu-dhabi-2025-f1-quinta-feira-red-bull-yuki-tsunoda-03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/abu-dhabi-2025-f1-quinta-feira-red-bull-yuki-tsunoda-03-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/abu-dhabi-2025-f1-quinta-feira-red-bull-yuki-tsunoda-03.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yuki Tsunoda will be back on the F1 grid (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Physically and mentally, I&#8217;m fit because I trained almost every day for a long time. I had plenty of time to train since I didn&#8217;t have much else to do besides that. I did four TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] sessions and completed the equivalent of about five race distances,&#8221; he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;So I am well prepared and gained good driving experience in those tests. I just need to get used to this car, which I imagine will be quite different, with different procedures, launch controls, and everything else,&#8221; he continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Having only one practice session will be a bit tricky. But that&#8217;s why I&#8217;m not setting high expectations for now. I just want to enjoy myself and have fun, something I&#8217;ve wanted to do for a long time,&#8221; Tsunoda concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1<\/a> returns this weekend, from August 21 to 23, for the Dutch Grand Prix \u2014 the 12th round of the 2026 season. <strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> covers all the track action live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Stay up to date on all paddock news on our <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/news\/\">news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Session<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Local time (CEST)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>UTC<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Free Practice 1<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, August 21 \u2013 12:30<\/td><td>10:30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Free Practice 2<\/strong><\/td><td>Friday, August 21 \u2013 16:00<\/td><td>14:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Free Practice 3<\/strong><\/td><td>Saturday, August 22 \u2013 11:30<\/td><td>09:30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Qualifying<\/strong><\/td><td>Saturday, August 22 \u2013 15:00<\/td><td>13:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Race<\/strong><\/td><td>Sunday, August 23 \u2013 15:00<\/td><td>13:00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Why is Yuki Tsunoda racing for Racing Bulls at the Dutch Grand Prix?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yuki Tsunoda was called up to drive for Racing Bulls after Liam Lawson was moved up to Red Bull to replace Isack Hadjar, who suffered a wrist injury during a boxing session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Where was Yuki Tsunoda when he received the call to race?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tsunoda was on vacation in Greece, relaxing on a beach, having arrived in the country just 24 hours prior before being instructed to return immediately to the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Has Yuki Tsunoda driven a Formula 1 car in 2026 prior to this call-up?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, while serving as a reserve driver, Tsunoda completed four Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions, driving the equivalent of approximately five full race distances to stay race-fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Speaking to GRANDE PR\u00caMIO, Yuki Tsunoda detailed the moment he learned from his manager that he would be racing in the Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1001099881,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Yuki Tsunoda","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Red Bull Content Pool","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":21,"location":"Zandvoort"},{"id":13,"location":""}],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[161,95,66,247],"42wp_author":[21,13],"class_list":["post-975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-isack-hadjar","tag-racing-bulls","tag-red-bull","tag-yuki-tsunoda","42wp_author-leonid-kliuev","42wp_author-luana-marino"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=975"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/975\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":976,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/975\/revisions\/976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1001099881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=975"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}