Improbable
situations, unfathomable rules, excitable presenters, and extraordinary
vehicles. No, it’s not another Formula One reality show, it’s round three of
the most formidable F1 competition outside of F1: the (Un)serious Race Series –
The Super Ultimate Japanese Racing Challenge Show.
The 2023
off-circuit series, which stops off in Japan for this episode, features Oracle
Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri drivers pitted against each other in
peculiarly local vehicles. Having recently concluded a fun and unique cleaning cart
challenge in Singapore,
F1 World Drivers’ Championship leader Max Verstappen and Checo Perez take on
local hero Yuki Tsundoa and up and comer, Liam Lawson across a series of
challenges in a couple of very small trucks. Known as Kei trucks, the tiny,
flatbed utility vehicles are normally seen ferrying (quite small) piles of
goods around the narrow streets of towns and villages all across Japan.
Four competitive
drivers, some elaborate, oversized props and an overly excitable host set a
scene that channelled the spirit of Japan’s craziest game shows. Assembling for
battle at Tokyo’s Ariake Stadium, Max, Checo and Liam were keenly aware of
Yuki’s current (Un)Serious Series dominance, with the Japanese driver reigning
unbeaten across the first two events, in Miami and Spielberg. If they were
going to beat the hometown hero in exacting challenges such as knocking down
some supersized bowling pins, they’d have to bring their A-game – and a massive
inflatable ball. And they did. After
a series of surprising challenges, it was Max and Checo who emerged victorious,
shattering Yuki’s unbroken run and on the Scuderia AlphaTauri driver's home
turf, too.
Celebrating the
win, Checo said: “It’s been a funny day, it’s great being part of the Red Bull
family as we get to do lots of crazy events around the world, I’d have never
expected to be doing this challenge here in Tokyo. I just wish the kei trucks
had more downforce [laughs].” Fellow winner Max
added: “First and foremost it’s important to mention that we finally won the
challenge. The kei trucks have been fun to drive, I haven’t quite found the DRS
yet though. It’s been good preparation for the race this weekend, I have a lot
of special memories from Suzuka, my favourite memory is of course winning the
championship here and also driving in my first ever official practice session
too - on a track like this, it wasn’t the easiest but is something I will remember
forever.”
Even with a
competitive advantage of having driven Kei-trucks in his late teens, Yuki
remained relaxed at seeing his (Un)Serious dominance disrupted “I drove
kei-trucks a couple of times when I was 18. My grandfather had one for
gardening. The truck was the perfect size, perfectly fitting and it was fun to
drive, very controllable and sharp. This series is always fun, but we are
racing drivers, so we are always competitive. So, at the same time we are
always serious. It’s an unserious vehicle, but serious racing.” Liam, taking part
in first (Un)Serious Series challenge offered insight into what went wrong in
Scuderia AlphaTauri’s quest to make it three round wins on the hop. “The
highlight was the race at the end, stacking some boxes, and on the way back
Yuki made an aggressive turn that I wasn’t ready for and I fell onto him, and
knocked it into neutral. So, the last 50m or so, was just in neutral, on the
limiter across the line.” Oracle Red Bull
Racing has a longstanding tradition of embracing unique local challenges in
every country they visit during the F1 season. These unconventional showdowns
not only allow the drivers to let loose and have some fun before the intensity
of the race weekend but also celebrate the distinct cultures and traditions of
each location. Similarly, last
week in Singapore, the team engaged in a memorable challenge at the iconic
Jewel Changi Airport, where Verstappen and Perez raced cleaning carts against
the backdrop of the world's best airport. The next stop for
the four F1 racers is the legendary Suzuka Circuit, home of this weekend’s
Japanese Grand Prix. One of F1’s most iconic circuits, Suzuka was the scene of
Max’s second title win last year. To watch Round 3 of
the (Un)Serious Race Series – Japan in full, click HERE. To watch the World's
Cleanest Race in Singapore in its entirety, click HERE. News cuts, plus
rights free imagery, is available to view and download on the Red Bull Content
Pool via the following links: Tiny Truck Takeover World’s Cleanest Race
Post a Comment