Permane: Tsunoda’s skills ‘really in line with top drivers’

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has opened up about what impressed him most during Yuki Tsunoda’s time with the team, highlighting the Japanese driver’s speed, feedback, and professionalism both on and off the track.

Since joining Racing Bulls as Racing Director at the start of 2024 – before his promotion to Team Principal this July – Permane has now worked with three of the four drivers currently racing across the Red Bull teams.

Tsunoda, who joined Red Bull after swapping seats with Liam Lawson earlier in the season, made a strong impression during his stint at the sister squad under Permane’s management. The F1 veteran was not only surprised by the 25-year-old’s skills but also said they were “really in line with the top drivers.”

“His speed [stands out], for one thing,” said the Briton when asked during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend about Tsunoda’s time at Racing Bulls.

“I didn’t know Yuki at all before I started with the team in ’24, and I was immediately impressed by him – by his pace, by how he can handle the tyres, his qualifying pace, how he could get on top of the tyres as quickly as he did to extract the most out of the car in qualifying.

A Driver Among the Best

Beyond his on-track performance, Tsunoda’s professionalism and technical insight further impressed Permane, placing him in the same league as Formula 1’s top talents.

“That was the very first thing that surprised me. And honestly, his feedback, and the way he is in the car, the way he drives, the way he is out of the car, are really in line with the top drivers,” Permane said.

“He’s a great driver. And honestly, that was a little bit of a – let’s say it was a surprise. I guess I hadn’t thought about it, but it was a nice surprise when I got to start working with him.”

Tsunoda’s ability to provide detailed feedback and his demeanor both in and out of the cockpit have solidified his reputation as a complete driver. Permane’s praise underscores the growth Tsunoda has shown since his debut in F1 in 2021, evolving into a reliable and highly skilled competitor.

Looking Ahead: Hadjar and Lawson in Focus

While Tsunoda impressed during his time at Racing Bulls, Permane’s attention has now shifted to the team’s current lineup.

Liam Lawson returned to the sister squad to partner Isack Hadjar, and both drivers are being primed to maximize Racing Bulls’ performance during the final seven Grands Prix of the season.

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Meanwhile, Tsunoda will be looking to build on a strong run of form, which saw him claim a season-best P6 in Baku.

Permane’s glowing assessment serves as a reminder of the Japanese driver’s talent and adaptability, qualities that continue to make him a notable figure in Formula 1.But only tile will tell if they will be enough to keep him on the grid in 2026.

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