Tsunoda laughs with Verstappen and Sainz at fans in Japan

Japan is known for its fanatical fans. Every year, they come up with the craziest gifts and the cutest outfits. Especially around home hero Yuki Tsunoda, fans come up with all kinds of things. For instance, the Japanese driver saw a mini version of himself. Of course, his colleagues had to make a joke about it.

Tsunoda is the only Japanese driver on the grid and is a true hero in his home country. For drivers from that country, getting into Formula 1 is quite a challenge given the distance from Europe. Consequently, fans in Japan are only too happy that Tsunoda is driving in Formula 1 and come up with all kinds of things to honour him during the Grand Prix weekend.

For example, Tsunoda saw a mini version of himself and said, ''I saw a mini, mini, tiny myself, with a helmet, and a racing suit.'' The Japanese driver is the smallest driver on the grid. The other Formula 1 drivers on the grid did not hesitate to make the necessary jokes about this. ' 'Maybe it was yourself,'' jokes Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen.

''You just saw yourself in the mirror,'' adds Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. The Japanese driver then joins in the joke. "Maybe, yeah. Actually, the size wasn't that big. Yes, it's literally like me. So, very cute. Maybe I put something in a bag or something like that and keep it as a lucky charm."