What was intended as a celebratory showcase quickly turned into a dramatic spectacle. During a Red Bull promotional event in San Francisco, former racing driver Yuki Tsunoda took to the streets in the iconic RB7 — the 2011 championship-winning car famously driven by Sebastian Vettel. This marked Tsunoda’s first public appearance since taking up his new role as Red Bull’s reserve driver.
The crowd was treated to a nostalgic display, complete with the sound of the engine revving and smoke from the tyres. However, the mood abruptly changed when flames suddenly erupted from the rear of the car. Within moments, smoke billowed into the air, creating spectacular and alarming scenes that were widely shared on social media.
Tsunoda’s Return to an F1 car
Despite the drama, Tsunoda remained composed. The Japanese driver calmly brought the car to a halt, exited without panic and surveyed the damage while marshals rushed in. No injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly extinguished. What had begun as an entertaining PR stunt had briefly turned into a fiery reminder of Formula 1’s raw mechanical intensity.
Despite being over a decade old, the RB7, one of the most dominant cars in modern F1 history, is still a complex piece of engineering. Demonstration runs often push these historic machines to their limits, and minor technical issues can quickly escalate. In this case, however, the visual impact was far more dramatic than the consequences.
Click on the video below to watch the footage
Formula 1: Tsunoda Now Only a Reserve Driver at Red Bull
The event also highlighted Tsunoda’s new status within the Red Bull organisation. At the end of 2025, the team confirmed that he would lose his race seat, with rookie Isack Hadjar set to join the senior squad. Meanwhile, highly rated talent Arvid Lindblad was promoted to Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister team.
For Tsunoda, this change represented a significant setback in his career. Now aged 25, he serves as a test and reserve driver for both Red Bull outfits, a supportive but far less visible role than being in the main race cockpit.
His 2025 campaign proved decisive. After replacing Liam Lawson early in the season, he struggled to deliver consistent results. He finished 17th in the drivers’ standings with just 30 points and was unable to provide meaningful support to Max Verstappen. The reigning team leader was effectively forced into a one-man battle as Red Bull attempted to stay within reach of McLaren during a fiercely competitive season.
‘Tsunoda is still valued at Red Bull’
Publicly, Red Bull maintained a supportive stance. Team figures repeatedly emphasised Tsunoda’s speed and experience, suggesting that the door was not completely shut on a potential comeback. RB team principal Laurent Mekies stressed that the Japanese driver was still valued within the organisation.
Privately, however, the decision came as a shock to Tsunoda. In an interview with DAZN Japan, he admitted that he had not expected it to happen so soon.
“I was informed after the race in Qatar, but to be honest, it didn’t seem real at first,” he explained. “I had prepared myself for this possibility, but the message differed from what I had been told previously, so I was surprised.”
He even suggested that the outcome may have changed late in the process, hinting at last-minute internal discussions before the final decision was made.
While the fiery San Francisco demonstration may have been unintended drama, symbolically it reflected a turbulent period in Tsunoda’s career, that of a driver still fighting to prove his place on Formula 1’s biggest stage.
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Pre-season testing rarely provides definitive answers, but it can sometimes reveal structural changes. In Bahrain this week, during preparations for the 2026 campaign, Ferrari did not just look competitive; it looked fundamentally different, even to the previous week of testing. But it isn’t just the peculiar rear wing 180 rotating drag reduction, or the odd gearbox wings with their swept back drive shafts that have the paddock talking this evening.
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During multiple launch simulations at the Bahrain International Circuit, Ferrari-powered cars surged forward with striking immediacy. Hamilton, who was lined up several rows back in one evening simulation, sped through the pack before the first braking zone.
Even accounting for empty grid slots and varied engine modes, the difference in initial acceleration was clear. Engineers and team personnel watching trackside were struck by how cleanly and predictably the red cars delivered power compared to rivals that appeared momentarily hesitant.
This was not an isolated incident. The Ferrari-powered Haas of Esteban Ocon also demonstrated strong and consistent launches. What stood out was consistency. While some competitors struggled to find the right engine rev window or appeared to balance turbo preparation with hybrid deployment awkwardly, Ferrari’s system appeared composed and responsive…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
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