Yuki Tsunoda is set to make his long-awaited debut with Red Bull after more than four years with Racing Bulls, the team announced on Thursday. Liam Lawson, after only two Grands Prix, is already returning to the junior team. During the GP of Japan, a home race for the 24-year-old driver, Yuki Tsunoda will step into the RB21. Will he be able to score immediately at Suzuka? These home heroes have proven that it’s not impossible.
Last year, Liam Lawson inherited the second Red Bull seat from Sergio Pérez. After a particularly disappointing season, the Mexican was relieved of his duties. The choice for Lawson caused a lot of indignation. After all, Yuki Tsunoda had much more experience than his New Zealand counterpart. After two races in the current Formula 1 season, Red Bull also realized that Tsunoda might have been the better choice. During his home race at Suzuka, the Japanese driver hopes to score immediately. It is hoped that he can draw inspiration from the successful debut races of the following home heroes.
Mark Webber, Minardi, 2002
During the Grand Prix of Australia in 2002, four drivers made their debut in Formula 1, including Australian Mark Webber. Naturally, he was the favorite at Albert Park Circuit. He was racing for the new Minardi team at the time, replacing a young Fernando Alonso. He qualified in eighteenth place, more than a second ahead of teammate Alex Yoong.
In the race, however, Webber would cross the finish line in fifth place. Granted, only eight drivers reached the finish line in Melbourne, but the Australian home hero did finish ahead of Yoong, Pedro De La Rosa, and Mika Salo, scoring the only two points that Minardi would earn that year. After this fantastic debut, Webber – along with team owner Paul Stoddart – was even invited to the podium.
Jean Alesi, Tyrrell, 1989
The Frenchman Jean Alesi made his debut for the Tyrrell team at Paul Ricard in 1989, which was accompanied by much excitement. He combined his first season in Formula 1 with winning the international Formula 3000 championship with the late Eddie Jordan’s team. For the French GP, he qualified in sixteenth place, ahead of celebrated drivers like Nelson Piquet. Alesi performed even better during the race than Webber and finished in fourth place, almost two laps ahead of teammate Jonathan Palmer.
Carlos Reutemann, Brabham, 1972
The legendary Carlos Reutemann finished second behind Ronnie Peterson in the European Formula 2 in 1971, which earned him a seat at Brabham for the next Formula 1 season. He made his debut during his home race in Buenos Aires. This clearly gave Reutemann wings. He became only one of six drivers who have ever been on pole position during their debut race. However, the race didn’t go as well for him. He finished in seventh place, outside the points.
Mario Andretti, Lotus, 1968
Another driver who was on pole position during his debut race. Mario Andretti, who drove for Lotus in 1968 and first stood on the grid during the American GP, secured himself the first starting position. Andretti was still racing in Champ Car that year, so this was a one-off participation in his home race. Unfortunately, he had to abandon his race early due to clutch problems, although he proved that experience in a car does not have to be a hindrance to success. Tsunoda, take note!
