If you follow Formula 1, you know Yuki Tsunoda. You’ve heard him shouting on the radio, you’ve seen his incredible overtakes, and you’ve probably laughed at his hilarious moments on Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
But beyond the memes and the "funny guy" persona, who is Yuki Tsunoda really?
For fans of Japanese car culture, Yuki represents something special. He is the modern face of Japan's racing spirit—a spirit born on the winding mountain passes and engineered by legends like Honda.
Here is everything you need to know about F1’s favorite underdog, and how you can experience the culture that created him.
The Profile: Age, Height, and Hometown
(基本プロフィール：年齢、身長、そして故郷)
First, let’s get the basic stats out of the way, because these are some of the most searched questions about him!
- Name: Yuki Tsunoda (角田 裕毅)
- Born: May 11, 2000 (Age: 25)
- Hometown: Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Height: 1.59m (approx. 5’3”)
- Current Team: Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team
Yuki is famous for his compact size, often joking about needing pedals adjusted or standing next to taller drivers like George Russell. But in motorsport, being light is an advantage. As the saying goes in Japan: "Small but mighty."
The Career: A Meteoric Rise
Yuki didn't take the slow road to F1. He sprinted. Backed by Honda’s "Dream Project," he dominated the Japanese F4 Championship before moving to Europe.
His talent exploded in the 2020 Formula 2 season, where he won the "Rookie of the Year" award and finished 3rd overall. His aggressive driving style caught the eye of Red Bull’s Helmut Marko, leading to his F1 promotion.
History Made: In his very first race (Bahrain 2021), Yuki finished 9th, becoming the first Japanese driver in history to score points on debut. He proved immediately that he wasn't just there for marketing—he was there to race.
The Personality: Why the World Loves Him
Search for "Yuki Tsunoda radio" and you will see why he is a fan favorite. Yuki is known for his "Jekyll and Hyde" personality.
- Off the Track: He is polite, humble, loves food (especially his mom’s cooking), and has a charming, funny character that his teammates love.
- On the Track: He turns into a warrior. His radio messages are full of screaming, swearing, and raw emotion.
Some criticize it, but real petrolheads love it. In an era of PR-trained robotic drivers, Yuki is real. He drives with his heart. This passion is a signature of the Japanese "Touge" (mountain pass) spirit—fighting with everything you have.
The Roots: Kanagawa and the JDM Connection
This is the part most F1 fans don't know. Yuki was born in Kanagawa Prefecture. For car lovers, Kanagawa is holy ground.
It is home to the legendary Hakone Turnpike (often called the Nürburgring of Japan) and the world-famous Daikoku Parking Area, where the best JDM cars gather every weekend. It is the setting of Initial D battles and the birthplace of many street racing legends.
Yuki grew up breathing this air. While he raced karts, the culture of high-performance Hondas (Civics, Integras, NSXs) was all around him. His aggressive braking and precise cornering share the same DNA as the "Hashiriya" (street racers) who mastered the Japanese mountains.
Experience Yuki’s Japan
Yuki Tsunoda is driving the pinnacle of motorsport engineering, but the soul of his driving exists in the JDM cars you can still drive today.
If you are a fan of Yuki, you are a fan of Japanese engineering. Are you planning a trip to Japan? Or do you dream of owning a piece of this culture?
Don't just watch from the sidelines.
- Visit the Holy Land: When you come to Japan for the Grand Prix, take a trip to Kanagawa. Rent a JDM sports car and drive the roads near Yuki’s hometown.
- Own the Legend: You might not be able to buy an F1 car, but you can own the JDM legends that inspired a generation. From the Honda Civic Type R to the Nissan Skyline GT-R, these cars offer the raw, mechanical connection that Yuki fights with every race weekend.
An unforgettable night in Tokyo! Driving the GT-R under the Tokyo Tower was a dream come true." – Recent Guest Reviews
Are you ready to ride? Whether you are a hardcore JDM lover, this is the ultimate Japan experience.
