Red Bull reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda quickly exited a Formula 1 car after it caught fire during a demonstration run in San Francisco. The incident occurred on Saturday in the Marina District, where Tsunoda was showcasing the historic RB7 car. No injuries were reported, and the fire was swiftly controlled by emergency responders.
Yuki Tsunoda, serving as Red Bull's reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season, participated in a promotional showrun event on San Francisco's waterfront on Saturday, February 22, 2026. The event, organized by Red Bull and its new engine partner Ford, aimed to bring Formula 1 excitement to fans outside traditional race venues. Tsunoda drove the Red Bull RB7, the 2011 championship-winning car originally piloted by Sebastian Vettel during his second F1 title.
During the demonstration, Tsunoda performed maneuvers including donuts, after which smoke began emerging from the rear of the car shortly after he brought it to a stop. Fan footage captured flames breaking out, prompting alarmed onlookers to shout "get out" to the driver. Tsunoda reacted promptly, unfastening his seat belts, standing up, and exiting the cockpit without assistance. Marshals and a fire truck quickly intervened to extinguish the blaze, preventing further damage.
This marked Tsunoda's first public appearance in an F1 car since the end of the 2025 season, when he lost his full-time race seat with Red Bull to Isack Hadjar. Promoted to Red Bull midway through 2025 after Liam Lawson's departure, Tsunoda competed in 22 races alongside Max Verstappen, scoring 33 points and finishing 17th in the drivers' standings. Over his F1 career since debuting with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2021, he has started 111 races, accumulating 124 points, with his best championship result of 12th in 2024.
Despite the mishap, fans rallied in support, chanting "Yuki, Yuki" as he returned to the cockpit for the first time since the Abu Dhabi finale. Tsunoda also serves as reserve for Racing Bulls and has expressed disappointment over his 2026 role but aims to remain competitive and target a full-time seat in 2027. In a December statement, he said: "Obviously, I was disappointed. It's tough." The 2026 F1 season begins March 6-8 in Australia.
