What happens when you take two of the world’s best drivers completely out of their instincts – off the track and into the water – to test their skills? The city’s waterways turned racetracks served as the perfect proving ground ahead of the Miami Grand Prix as Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Austria’s Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo battled it out in mini jet boats .
The duel is the first round of a (non-)regular racing series between the two Formula 1 teams.
Rivals for the day: Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
Mere 6 feet (2.08 meters) long, with 28 horsepower and a top speed of 30 mph (48 km/h), the boats were built by Torch Craft Marine in partnership with Jetstream Adventure Boats. Powered by two-stroke engines, these little boats were great in the open water – and a lot of fun – especially with the handling from Tsunoda and Ricardo.
To make the boats look decent for the weekend race in Miami, Metrowrapz painted the two mini-jet boats the stunning Austrian Red Bull and Scuderia AlphaTauri livery.
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Custom packing for two mini jet boats
The two mini boats are wrapped in custom Austrian Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Alpha Tauri style livery.
While the water bout might have been friendly, there was only one winner in the end, and Kakuda narrowly won the finale.
Ricciardo, who has won eight races in F1, joked: “When I first saw the mini-jetboat, I thought this time, Tsunoda could have the last laugh. Usually he’s the one who has a problem with his size.” A lot of sticklers. He actually fits this well, I don’t look like it, it’s built for Kakuta.”
The Aussie added playfully: “I complain about the vehicle, but it’s always the vehicle, not the man behind the wheel. As a result, there were no losers today and everyone learned from their experience.”
The Japanese driver said he was happy for the Scuderia AlphaTauri win, although the Austrian Red Bull team would retaliate for it: “I was passed halfway through the race, but I got the lead at the end. Won in Miami, everything great.”
Racing in jet boats? Hell, yeah!
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
The F1 drivers were neck and neck on the water
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
Tsunoda and Ricciardo had a riot messing around in the water
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
The circuit wasn’t what the F1 drivers are used to
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
The (non-)regular series will continue and the Austrian Red Bull team will be eager to win next time in a yet-to-be-announced (non-)regular series and a surprising venue.