Yuki Tsunoda breaks down how Alan Permane coming to VCARB will make him a ‘better driver’

The Japanese driver is optimistic about the new recruitments made by his team

Yuki Tsunoda breaks down how Alan Permane coming to VCARB will make him a ‘better driver’

Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo (via IMAGO)

The F1 world’s attention revolved around the seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton leaving his old alliance behind to move to Ferrari. However, in the background, the VCARB(VISA CashApp RB) team had unveiled their 2024 challenger with the driver a well-balanced driver line-up of Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda.

The newly rebranded Red Bull’s sister team is often regarded as just a constructor that prepares drivers for the main team of Red Bull. However, it was recently revealed in a press release that VCARB had poached several key members from different teams and had upgraded their arsenal of engineers. Tsunoda feels that move will eventually lead the team to fight for points every Grand Prix weekend, making it more competitive.

These new arrivals will help us progress and will also help me become a better driver. [Alan]Permane has won titles in the past [with Renault], he brings a winning mentality, a mentality that the team needs. As a goal we don't just want to be in the top ten, but we hope that at some point in the future we will also be able to fight against Red Bull
Yuki Tsunoda on the team’s ambitions for the 2024 season, via motorsport.com

The Japanese driver is a liked figure in the paddock and begins his fourth season with the Faenza-based squad. He believes that the team will fare better than last year due to its increased integration with Red Bull’s facilities, the overall experience of the engineers, and the newly appointed head of the team in the shape of Laurent Mekies, leading the team to new heights.

What are the origins of the second Red Bull team?

Originally the Austrian manufacturer had only a single team on the F1 grid, but this soon changed as Dietrich Mateschitz Former Red Bull Supremo bought the Minardi team in 2005. This team was based out of Faenza, Italy, named Scuderia Toro Rosso.

AlphaTauri (Credits: Imago)
AlphaTauri (Credits: Imago)

This team was the playing ground for the younger Junior Red Bull Academy drivers who were given a chance in the epitome of racing. Many drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz, etc. found their first drives in this team. It continued using this name and identity till the end of 2019, after which it was rebranded to Red Bull’s clothing brand i.e., Alphaturi.

The team then produced some great results in 2021 and was fighting for the top spot in the midfield. The onset of the 2022 season proved otherwise; the team fell deep down in the crevices of the lower end and has since not recovered. VCARB is the new identity of the team and now has made several changes to fare better on the grid than the previous 2 seasons.

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