Yuki Tsunoda has been a long-time admirer of Lewis Hamilton and has now praised the seven-time champion’s impressive aura.
Yuki Tsunoda and Lewis Hamilton, images via IMAGO and screenshot via X/Hawk948
Over the years, Lewis Hamilton has rose through the ranks in F1 to become one of the greats of the sport. His career’s longevity has given multiple drivers a chance to meet the seven-time champion, who was once their idol, which includes Yuki Tsunoda as he revealed that Hamilton has a special aura looming around him all the time.
Yuki Tsunoda made his F1 debut in 2021 but found his love for the sport back in 2007, when the sport visited the Fuji Speedway for the Japanese GP. Back then, Lewis Hamilton was in his rookie F1 season and drove for McLaren, where the young Japanese kid found his love for racing and eventually got the chance to drive on the same tarmac as his idol.
Subsequently, when the 24-year-old was asked about Hamilton’s presence in the paddock, he responded by claiming that the Briton has a special aura. His seven world titles and staggering 105 wins are the main reason for such an aura radiating from the 39-year-old.
The way I see it, he does have that definite special aura. He’s a star and he exudes that aura, you can feel it.
Yuki Tsunoda said
🗣️| Yuki Tsunoda speaks about Lewis Hamilton. He says he definitely has a special aura that he feels, he’s a global celebrity.
(via: Honda Racing 2024 season finale) #YT22 #F1 pic.twitter.com/gD2oG968t5
— Hawk (@Hawk9248) December 15, 2024
Moreover, this stardom could be the ground for Ferrari‘s sudden interest in acquiring Hamilton’s services for the 2025 season. So, the seven-time champion would be repping up for his move to Maranello as his time with Mercedes comes to an emotional end.
Yuki Tsunoda reveals how getting inside the cockpit changes his mindset
On the other hand, by getting a chance to drive alongside your idol, people might expect the Japanese driver to feel some psychological pressure when battling Hamilton on track. Though there have been only a few instances where Tsunoda has gotten a chance to fight against the Briton, he has not gone down without giving a fight in true racing spirit.
While the RB driver admitted that driving with Hamilton still feels a bit of starstruck moment, he does not discount out the latter when he is in the cockpit and treats him like one of his rivals.
Yeah, it’s crazy how I am driving with him [Hamilton] still… Once we are racing, he is like one of the enemies.
Yuki Tsunoda said (via Red Flags podcast)
Tsunoda is currently posing himself to be the ideal replacement of Sergio Perez in Red Bull. With the Austrian giant now having the Japanese driver’s performance metrics after the post-season Abu Dhabi test, an announcement is awaited on whether Tsunoda is given the call up to the senior team.
