Yuki Tsunoda Reflects on Teammate Relationships, Calls Daniel Ricciardo a 'Mentor'

Yuki Tsunoda recently shared insights into his relationships with past and current Formula 1 teammates, highlighting Daniel Ricciardo as a 'mentor'. Tsunoda, who has driven alongside a diverse group of F1 drivers from Max Verstappen to rookie Isack Hadjar, provided one-word descriptions for each during an appearance on Red Bull's 'Talking Bull' podcast.

Why it matters:

• Tsunoda's reflections offer a rare glimpse into the personal and professional dynamics within F1 teams, underscoring the different roles teammates play in a driver's development.
• His specific characterization of Ricciardo as a 'mentor' sheds light on the significant influence the veteran Australian had during their time together at the junior Red Bull team, AlphaTauri/RB, showcasing Ricciardo's leadership qualities even as he pursued his own F1 comeback.
• This perspective is particularly relevant as Tsunoda progresses in his career, having recently graduated to Red Bull for 2025, and provides context for his growth as a driver.

The details:

• On Red Bull's 'Talking Bull' podcast, Tsunoda was asked to describe each of his F1 teammates in a single word.
• For Daniel Ricciardo, with whom he shared a season and a half at the junior Red Bull team (2023-2024), Tsunoda initially considered 'teacher' before settling on 'mentor'.
  • This choice reflects Ricciardo's role as an experienced, multi-time race winner, against whom Tsunoda could measure himself and learn from his operational approach within a team environment.
• Ricciardo concluded his F1 career after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix and has since taken on a global ambassador role for Ford Racing.
• Tsunoda also characterized other teammates:
  • Pierre Gasly: 'brother'
  • Isack Hadjar: 'bro' (Hadjar was an F1 rookie with whom Tsunoda raced for two weekends in 2025)
  • Nyck de Vries: 'old friends' (De Vries was replaced by Ricciardo in the junior Red Bull squad)
  • Max Verstappen: 'Gin tonic' (Tsunoda explained that Verstappen introduced him to the beverage, which is a 'guilty pleasure' for Verstappen).

The big picture:

• Tsunoda's journey through different teammates—from fellow juniors to seasoned race winners and even a multiple World Champion—illustrates the diverse learning environments F1 drivers encounter.
• The 'mentor' designation for Ricciardo highlights the value of experienced drivers in nurturing younger talent, even amidst their own competitive pressures.
• Tsunoda's move to Red Bull for 2025, following a period where he could benchmark himself against drivers like Ricciardo, signifies a crucial step in his career, with heightened expectations and direct competition with a driver like Verstappen.

What's next:

• As Tsunoda prepares for his 2025 season with Red Bull, the lessons learned from his 'mentor' Daniel Ricciardo and his experience alongside a dominant champion like Max Verstappen will be critical.
• His ability to leverage these relationships and experiences will be key to establishing himself at the sport's pinnacle, particularly as he battles to retain his spot alongside Verstappen for the 2026 season.