Tsunoda Missed Answering Media as Boring Sim Session got Spicy Amid F1 Call-up

Yuki Tsunoda admits he missed the media sessions as a regular F1 driver, as he feels grateful for the opportunity presented as he decides his future.

Often when they are part of the circus, F1 drivers frown on the media commitments, having to answer similar questions from TV to written media. But once they go away, there is some form of nostalgia, even to the extent of missing feeling after going through the drill for several years.

After Tsunoda departed from active race seat at the end of 2025 F1 season, the Japanese racer has hung around the paddock in reserve capacity with both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. He got a surprise call-up when Isack Hadjar injured his wrist in the summer break.

Red Bull drafted Liam Lawson in their car, as Tsunoda got in the Racing Bulls. He was greeted by host of media on his first day back on Thursday. He was not shy in admitting the missing feeling – although he cautioned that the missing feel depended on the type questions asked.

Tsunoda admits missing media sessions

“I mean, I’ve been in this environment for a long time, 4-5 years, and that’s enough [to know],” said Tsunoda to media in F1 Dutch GP. “To be honest, somehow, lately, I feel like this kind of conversation, answering questions, something also partly I miss as well. It depends on the questions.”

He also shared how bored he felt in the simulator session with nothing to show for in the F1 2026 season so far. But the pre-Dutch GP session at Racing Bulls, he felt alive and kicking, knowing that everything he does, will be translated on the track by himself and not any other driver.

Opportunity to race and show his mettle is better than talking

He thinks an opportunity like this is much better than talking with F1 teams for a future seat. This way, he can show his capabilities in the new generation of cars. “As always, we’re going to perform, which I’m always ready for, and I’m going to give my 100% performance,” continued Tsunoda.

“To be honest, having this and not having this kind of opportunity is a lot different, because it’s obviously telling the teams, it’s always selling myself with talking, but you want to always prove at a driving, so it’s good.  Like I said, I’m waiting for this moment, so I just want to have fun.

“So far, I’m always having the time that I want to have, and even in similar sessions, I used to feel really bored, but yesterday I was enjoying every lap, so I just want to enjoy it,” summed up Tsunoda. Having been away from the regularity of the races, the Japanese driver admits how every moment matters.

Tsunoda is grateful, time away showed how special it is

He feels grateful for the opportunity given. He is not thinking too far ahead, rather enjoying the moment. If this triggers something in the future, he will gladly take it. “Yeah, I mean, it’s always difficult place to have a seat here,” noted Tsunoda.

““It’s not…I recognise how difficult and how special to be here. So, no matter what any situation, I’m very grateful. And if this becomes a trigger for next year, hopefully I’m driving here. That’s something that I’m very happy with and feel lucky. But, yeah, it’s always…it’s not my control anyway. So, what I can do is just enjoy and perform it.”

F1 is priority for Tsunoda but can’t wait forever

But will it be in F1 or elsewhere like IndyCar? Reports linked him to a IndyCar seat at Meyer Shank Racing recently. And Tsunoda hasn’t ruled out racing in other championship. Even though his mentality is always with Formula 1, but if by the start of next season, he has no drive, he will look elsewhere.

For now, the goal remains to race in F1 but not at the expense of staying in the garage for two years. “No, I mean, it’s not my job to look at those stuff,” said Tsunoda. “I mean, I completely leave it to my manager, and my job is to just drive fast and those stuff.

“My mentality has always been in Formula 1. My main goal is to always be driving Formula 1 and have success. That’s always there, no matter what. I also don’t want to be staying at the garage for 2 years. I want to drive as well.

“So, if there’s something potentially happening, or I couldn’t find a seat for next year, I mean, I have to look for other series. But I always thought, until the moment I hit the track next year, my mentality will always be in Formula 1,” summed up Tsunoda.