In an historic moment and world first, all four Red Bull Formula One drivers participated in the largest Showrun in Japan’s history, driving F1 cars and delighting fans in front of Yuki Tsunoda’s home crowd.
The Red Bull Showrun, powered by Honda, took place on Wednesday 02 April in the streets of Tokyo in front of 12000 fans. The event marked the first time all four drivers from Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and Oracle Red Bull Racing participated in a Showrun together and celebrated the Team’s partnership with Honda and the final season of one of the most successful PU partnerships in motorsport history.
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls’ drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar drove a RB7 with VCARB livery alongside four-time World Champion Max Verstappen and hometown hero Yuki Tsunoda, as they took to the streets in three F1 cars: the RB16B which saw Max win his first World Drivers’ Championship, powered by Honda and two RB7s, which won double World Championships.
Yuki was a crowd favourite, driving the final run in the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB7 in front of his home crowd, before the two RB7s pulled up in front of fans for a final photo moment with all Red Bull drivers. In the garage, there was also the historic Honda RA272, which was the first Japanese car to win in Formula One.
The Showrun marked the strength of Honda’s partnership with the Team and celebrated one of the most successful PU partnerships F1 has witnessed. The event not only marked the Team’s final season with Honda, but also showcased the Team’s gratitude to the contribution of the successes that were achieved on track. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Honda’s first victory in F1.
Isack Hadjar said: “It was an amazing and special event today, for everyone who’s part of the Red Bull family and Honda. It was also my first ever Red Bull Showrun, so I was definitely excited this morning whilst I was getting ready to jump in the car. Having been able to do this with the RB7 and its V8 engine, which is Sebastian Vettel’s championship winning car, it’s pretty cool. It was nice being out there with both teams, with all four Red Bull drivers running Formula One cars in a unique Red Bull Showrun in Tokyo. I’m a big fan of the Japanese culture, so it was definitely enjoyable doing these runs in front of all the Japanese fans, who have shown us their warmth. It’s the best way to start the race weekend and I’m now looking forward to racing in Suzuka.”
Liam Lawson said: “Today was really special for the Red Bull family and for Honda. It was great to have all four of us come together to celebrate both our partnership with Honda and the fans in Tokyo. The Red Bull Showrun gives us an opportunity to give back to fans who have supported all of us over the years. To see so many of them come out, especially in the rain, really shows how great they are. I’ve spent a lot of time in Japan in my Super Formula days, so I’m always excited to be back and to be racing a track I know well. Today has been a great start to the weekend so thank you!”
Laurent Mekies, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Team Principal, said: “As the largest Showrun in Japan’s history, it’s amazing to see the support from the fans for the Team, for Honda and of course, for Yuki at his home race this week. To have all four Red Bull drivers together is a privilege and a perfect way to celebrate our partnership with Honda. The unrivalled Japanese support was really out in full force today in Tokyo and it’s given us a huge boost of excitement as we go into Suzuka this weekend.”
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), commented: “In the year that completes the eight-year collaboration between Honda and Red Bull, we are delighted to host an event in Tokyo for fans to demonstrate the power and speed of F1 cars. Today, the four F1 drivers who drove F1 cars in Tokyo bay area will be fighting for victory at F1 Japanese Grand Prix this weekend. Oracle Red Bull Racing will compete in a special livery that pays homage to Honda’s first Formula 1 victory 60 years ago with RA272 with a Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda at his home race. See you on track.”
The Team brought the noise to Tokyo, also participating in a fan festival event, answering questions in front of fans alongside Laurent Mekies, Christian Horner, Koji Watanabe and Toyoharu Tanabe.