Twenty-four-year-old Yuki Tsunoda was officially promoted to Oracle Red Bull Racing on March 25, 2025— making him the first Japanese driver for the flagship team, competing alongside four-time-World Champion Max Verstappen. It’s a remarkable milestone for Asian representation in Formula One— Tsunoda is the second Asian driver to race for Red Bull (British-Thai Alex Abon drove for them from 2019-2020) and one out of only 30 drivers of Asian descent since F1’s inception in 1950.

At the recently concluded Formula One Miami Grand Prix, we caught up with the newly minted Tag Heuer brand ambassador who was sporting the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph Miami Limited Edition, launched in tandem with the Miami Grand Prix. He admitted to looking quite young, and noted that the timepiece is an important tool one can wear to make oneself “a step higher… to look different.” We also chatted about his best meal this season, life in Europe, and his hope to represent Asia on the world stage.

You are Formula One’s resident foodie. What are some of the best meals you’ve had this season?

I had it in Miami actually. I won’t mention the restaurant’s name because I don’t want to make the restaurant busy. But I went to a steakhouse [a few days ago] in Miami. The steakhouse was amazing. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had— at least outside of Japan.

Has the pressure to perform as a Japanese/ Asian driver—a rarity in the history of F1—changed now that you’ve built more of a global fanbase?

It’s a very big honor to drive/ race as an Asian driver— [there have not been] much Asian drivers in previous years and to be a successful Asian driver is one of the targets I’m trying to achieve. And so far I feel like I’m on the right path. One day I hope I can properly represent Formula One for the whole Asia.

Do you ever miss home? How are you enjoying your life in Europe now?

The first year for sure when I left Japan, I definitely struggled a lot. I missed my family; I missed my friends and not being able to hang round and do some fun stuff. I definitely struggled a lot. Now it’s almost my sixth year living in Europe living by myself and now I’m used to it. Actually, I love Europe. I love how the culture there works— the vibe and the atmosphere— and I[’ve] even started to feel it’s more suitable than Japan. I miss friends especially but I still go back to Japan three times a year and I definitely always catch up with them.