Verstappen to flaunt themed gear while Tsunoda aims to claw to top at Red Bull home race

18:40, 25 Jun

byCas van de Kleut

Red Bull Racing drivers Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are both looking ahead to an exciting home race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Four-time world champion Verstappen is marking the occasion with a special outfit change. Yuki Tsunoda, on the other hand, has stated that he is working hard to claw his way up the grid to battle at the top.

Verstappen has won a record five races at Red Bull's home circuit. Last season, his late race collision with rival Lando Norris meant that the race victory was handed to George Russell.

This year, the full focus is on performing well once again after Verstappen secured second place last time out at the Canadian Grand Prix.

“We are heading now back to European races and Austria is always a special home race for the Team and there will be a lot happening this week. It is always great to feel the support from the grandstand at the Red Bull Ring and from the Orange Army."

Verstappen has revealed race suit tweaks to celebrate the occasion. "To mark this, I will be wearing my Orange Lion special helmet, which integrates orange and Red Bull blue and features the lion in the design.

"The circuit always a fun one to drive; it is a short lap but with good opportunities for overtaking. Hopefully we can have a strong qualifying and deliver a good performance."

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For Yuki Tsunoda, this marks his first Red Bull home race. The Japanese driver has faced a challenging few weeks, so a strong result in Austria would be a timely boost. For now, Verstappen's teammate ranks fifteenth in the championship.

Will Tsunoda bounce back at the Red Bull Ring?

Tsunoda said: “I am looking forward to getting back to Europe and a home race in Austria. Being at the Red Bull Ring as a Red Bull driver is always special and you can hear the support every time you pull out of the garage.

"This week is about consistency and getting the most out of the car across all sessions. It’s been a tricky few weeks for me on track and I am determined to get further up the grid and where my Team belong.

"Saturday will be key and we have been working hard together to make sure we nail Qualifying this weekend, in order race from a good place on Sunday.

"I have shown I can work my way through the field well on a number of occasions, so it’s about starting higher up to make sure I’m fighting where I should be in the final few laps."