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:
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