Yuki Tsunoda took to the cockpit of a Red Bull Racing car after the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, only for the demo run to come to a premature and smokey end.
Tsuonda had been sampling the championship-winning RB8 from 2012 to a capacity crowd in Taichung, Taiwan, performing doughnuts to wow the fans.
The sound of a V8 engine once again kicked into life, and Tsunoda revelled in the biblical soundtrack and the fans’ reaction to his spectacular display.
Unfortunately, the run ended early when flames began gushing out of the Renault engine, with Tsuonda hoping this did not mirror his push to be promoted to Red Bull.
Speaking as his mechanics extinguished the flames, Tsunoda expressed that he was happy to bring F1 to Taiwan for the first time, praising the success of the event.
“That was amazing. Thank you for a lot of support.
“I saw a lot of people waving their flags, waving their hands. Definitely I saw every single moment and I hope you guys enjoyed the first Formula 1 [event] in Taiwan.
“I tried my best. I’m sure you guys enjoyed V6 [sic] sound! Actually first time me as well driving a V8, so yeah, it was amazing. Thank you for the support. It was a nice, successful event.”
Tsunoda reflects on Ricciardo’s RB exit
Tsunoda sustained a strong Singapore GP, finishing 12th, comfortably ahead of now ex-team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, who will be replaced in Austin by Liam Lawson.
Speaking before the announcement, Tsunoda praised the Australian’s calm nature under pressure, something he aims to transfer to his demeanour on race weekends.
“I definitely respect him a lot, especially, like, the things he has are the things I don’t have.
“Especially the emotional control and how he’s able to consistently being consistent to the team, I would say.
“I’m a bit more probably emotional, for example. Like if I have a bad session, whatever, for example, the quality of the feedback might be a little bit worse than usual.
“But he’s very consistent, and I think he understood more about the car.
“Well, like, he understood more about the situation and what things it will give positive to the team exactly.
So, yeah, I learned a lot of things from him, and I’m still learning about that. And, yeah, those things I definitely respect him.”
READ MORE: Exclusive: RB ready for Yuki Tsunoda to be F1 team leader amid Daniel Ricciardo exit
