Tsunoda to headline Red Bull's San Francisco showrun with the RB7

Tsunoda, replaced by Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, has his off-track work cut out already as he will headline a major San Francisco showrun later this month as Formula 1 machinery returns to the streets of the Bay Area for a one-day showcase on Marina Boulevard.

The Japanese driver will pilot Sebastian Vettel's 2011 title-winning Red Bull RB7 during the Showrun presented by Ford Racing, with the event scheduled to take place on 21 February. The appearance continues Red Bull’s global run of street demonstrations aimed at bringing Formula 1 closer to fans ahead of the new season.

Tsunoda will bring five full seasons of Formula 1 experience to the waterfront layout, running the RB7 on public roads as Marina Boulevard is transformed into a temporary race circuit for the day, topping an all-star bill in the city.

The San Francisco event will also feature Ford Racing Off-Road driver Mitch Guthrie in the Dakar Rally-winning Ford Raptor T1+, former Formula 1 driver Scott Speed in a Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula 1 car, and freestyle motocross rider Aaron Colton performing aerial displays above the course.

Fans attending the showrun will also see a selection of Ford performance machinery on display, including the Mustang GT3 endurance racer and the F150 Lightning Supertruck.

Tsunoda said the chance to drive a championship-winning Formula 1 car through the streets of San Francisco was one he relished: “I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of an F1 car and to do that in RB7 in San Francisco will be amazing. I’m really looking forward to getting out there, doing some donuts and making some real F1 noise in front of the crowds.”

The San Francisco showrun forms part of Formula 1’s growing push into major US cities as teams and manufacturers ramp up fan engagement ahead of the opening round of the season.