Verstappen ALREADY beaten by Tsunoda in Red Bull mind games

After a clip of Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen has resurfaced from 2021, it seems the Japanese driver has already secured a psychological advantage over his new Formula 1 team-mate.

Tsunoda was named as Red Bull’s latest driver after a disappointing start to the year from Liam Lawson, who was axed from the team and has now returned to Racing Bulls after just two grands prix.

As Tsunoda steps up as Verstappen’s new team-mate, old interviews with the Japanese driver have resurfaced and entertained fans given that the pair will now officially make up Red Bull's F1 driver duo from Suzuka onwards.

From the Japanese star's claims voiced last year that he is ready to ‘fight’ the champion to more light-hearted clips from Red Bull's social media channels, the most recent footage circulating on social media is from 2021, when Tsunoda was racing for Alpha Tauri (Racing Bulls) and Sergio Perez was Verstappen’s team-mate in the Mexican stars first season at Red Bull.

Tsunoda betters Verstappen in Red Bull task

In the video, Tsunoda is tasked with teaching Verstappen and Perez Japanese, with the content filmed at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps, the home of the Belgian Grand Prix.

As Verstappen was tutored by Tsunoda, the champion appeared as a diligent student patiently listening to the phrase he was being taught so that he could eventually repeat it to the camera.

However, it was Tsunoda who had the upper hand after he had actually taught the Dutchman to say: "Yuki is a faster driver than me."

Tsunoda only unveiled the true meaning of the phrase once Verstappen had spoken it aloud in Japanese, with the now four-time champion bursting into laughter as Tsunoda enjoyed his advantage. These mind games will be of no use when Tsunoda takes to the track at Suzuka however, where he will have to avoid the curse the second Red Bull seat has inflicted on the likes of Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Perez and now recently Lawson.

READ MORE: The shocking way Liam Lawson learnt about his Red Bull 'demotion'

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen reveals his racing limit: 'A risk I'm not willing to take'

• Yesterday 18:57

'It's not about the regs': The real reason Max Verstappen would quit F1

• Yesterday 10:57

Max Verstappen makes remarkable Lambiase statement: 'I couldn't tell him this'

• Yesterday 08:27

Max Verstappen to McLaren latest as insider says one key fact will decide F1 megadeal

• April 28, 2026 20:25

Red Bull chief tells McLaren 'We're going to keep him' as Lambiase saga drags on

• April 28, 2026 18:57

Max Verstappen and Red Bull comeback on the cards claims F1 boss

• April 26, 2026 08:55