'I'm gonna jump in the middle of the season and end up champion'

Speaking on the sidelines of an event where he took part in a showrun at the wheel of the Red Bull RB7 through the streets of San Francisco, the Japanese driver said: "I'm gonna jump in the middle of the season, or maybe earlier, and end up champion."

Tsunoda, for the first time since 2021, will not take part in the Formula 1 season as a full-time driver, having been released by the Milton Keynes outfit at the end of last year following Isack Hadjar’s promotion alongside Max Verstappen for 2026.

The Japanese driver will instead serve as reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls this season, hoping to secure a new race seat for the following year.

Partway through the showrun, the RB7 suddenly burst into flames at the rear, prompting the crowd to urge Tsunoda to exit the car immediately. The Japanese driver climbed out safely without any complications.

Even after the incident, spectators continued to back Tsunoda, loudly chanting his name in a show of support. It was a tougher moment as well for ex-F1 racer Scott Speed, who struck the barriers and broke the front wing while putting on a donut display for the crowd in a Racing Bulls car.