Formula 1: Yuki Tsunoda talks virtual racing, Red Bull Homestretch
By Asher Fair
Formula 1 rookie Yuki Tsunoda spoke about the chance to participate in Red Bull Homestretch and how he hadn’t done much virtual racing leading up to it.
Scuderia AlphaTauri Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly had the opportunity to compete in Red Bull Homestretch with several other professional drivers and athletes from around the world, and he secured a victory in the opening event. His rookie teammate Yuki Tsunoda had a chance to compete in the second event two weeks later.
“I’m so lucky as a Scuderia AlphaTauri driver to be part of the Red Bull family and get invited to a lot of exciting experiences,” Tsunoda told Beyond the Flag.
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“I game a lot at home so to be involved in Red Bull Homestretch is really cool for me. I’m excited to be racing against some other drivers and also some other Red Bull Athletes.”
After Gasly competed in the first event, he spoke to Tsunoda about the experience before Tsunoda got his turn to compete.
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“I spoke to Pierre about the Red Bull Homestretch whilst we were racing in Monaco and it sounded like he had a really good time, and he won which is always great!” he said. “He’s got quite a lot of sim-racing experience, so he gave me a few hints and tips ahead of my race.”
Tsunoda admitted that he doesn’t have a ton of experience competing in virtual racing, even over the last year when so much real-life competition was shut down for a time.
“I’ve not competed in a lot of virtual racing so it’s exciting for me to get this opportunity in the Red Bull Homestretch!” he exclaimed.
Tsunoda’s team consisted of Naomi Kyle, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Toby Price and Aaron Colton, and he competed against a team including Chrissy Costanza, Scott Speed, Mitch Guthrie Jr., Seth Quintero and Colin Donnell.
Tsunoda won two events, but it was Speed who was crowned the overall event winner.
- Race 1 – Red Bull Ring Short Track: Scott Speed
- Race 2 – Dragon Trail Garden Circuit: Yuki Tsunoda
- Race 3 – Tsukuba Circuit: Yuki Tsunoda
- Race 4 – Autodrome Lago Maggiore: Toby Price
- Race 5 – Tokyo Expressway: Seth Quintero
- Race 6 – Colorado Springs Lake II: Scott Speed
- Race 7 – Autodromo de Interlagos: Scott Speed
- Race 8 – Red Bull Ring: Scott Speed (overall event winner)
The remaining Red Bull Homestretch event can be watched live on Red Bull’s Twitch channel beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 10. A full driver roster is set to be announced in the near future.
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After a week off from real-life competition, Tsunoda is set to return to the cockpit this weekend for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which is set to be broadcast live from Baku City Circuit on ESPN beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET.