Yuki Tsunoda describes ‘happy day in the office’ as Racing Bulls catch the eye during Australian GP practice

Racing Bulls were one of the standout performers during Friday practice for the Australian Grand Prix, with Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar’s pace catching the attention of their rivals.

Tsunoda, heading into his fifth season at Red Bull’s sister team, posted the fourth-fastest time in FP2, behind only Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and the two McLarens, while debutant Hadjar impressively backed him up in sixth place.

FP2: Leclerc sets the pace ahead of Piastri and Norris during second practice in Australia

Reviewing his and the outfit’s first day of the new season, Tsunoda said: “Well, obviously it’s a good start, for the first day. I’m sure other teams will pick up the pace tomorrow, in qualifying especially. It definitely looks good.

“Inside the car, there’s not that much huge, I would say, outstanding [with] the balance and whatever. A happy day in the office, but obviously we just have to definitely keep focused and keep digging [out] the performance.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls — Tsunoda put his Racing Bulls machine fourth on Friday’s practice timesheets

“I think it’s going to be very, very tight in the field, so even if we squeeze that last five hundred milliseconds or whatever, that’ll be quite big.”

Asked about his hopes for the rest of the weekend, and who Racing Bulls’ main rivals might be, he added: “Definitely Williams, I would say. Williams seem fast. I think in FP2, I’m sure we’re doing different things, I feel like. Alpine as well.

“Those two teams that I mentioned will be pretty quick, but yeah, so far we’re leading, so at the same time we’ll take it as a positive, always looking forward. We’ll push 100% tomorrow.”

On the other side of the garage, Hadjar expressed similar confidence and optimism after finding an enjoyable rhythm during his first two practice sessions as a full-time F1 driver.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: Isack Hadjar of France and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls prepares to — Rookie Hadjar delivered a strong showing of his own, winding up sixth

“To be fair, after the first lap I was really comfortable in the car in FP1,” he commented. “Foot to the floor and we just went step by step. Obviously, it’s really nice to have Yuki alongside me to compare and progress quite fast as well.

“I don’t know how the other teams are going to react tomorrow, but the most important is that I feel comfy. I was surprised with more my own performance than the car. In FP1 I was straight on the pace and I just felt comfortable on the long run and the short run.”

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Australian Grand Prix

Pressed on his target as qualifying day approaches, the 20-year-old Frenchman added: “It’s not bold to say Q2, but I’d like to go to Q3, that’s for sure.”

Racing Bulls, who rebranded over the winter, are aiming to improve on their eighth-place classification in last year’s Teams’ Championship, having been edged out by midfield rivals Alpine and Haas.