A secret document caught on camera at the Dutch Grand Prix has pulled back the curtain on how Formula 1 teams carefully control their drivers’ words, and fans are calling it the most honest PR moment of the season.
An FIA-accredited photographer named Michael Potts snapped a clear shot of a media guideline sheet held by Yuki Tsunoda’s press officer in the Zandvoort paddock. The image quickly spread across social media, giving racing fans a rare peek behind the scenes.
The document came from Racing Bulls during a chaotic time for Red Bull’s driver lineup. Regular driver Isack Hadjar was out with a wrist injury over the summer break, so Liam Lawson moved up to partner Max Verstappen. That shift forced Tsunoda into a reserve role, and the team’s communications team reportedly took no chances.
Handwritten notes on the sheet listed potential questions journalists might throw at Tsunoda, including “Did you speak with your teammates?” and the sharper “Weren’t you supposed to get that seat?” To keep things smooth, Racing Bulls gave him clear talking points.
Tsunoda was told to focus on his excitement about getting back on track, his readiness to help both teams, and his trust in management’s choices. When asked how he learned about his new role, the scripted answer was reportedly simple: “Laurent called me.”
The document also addressed sensitive questions about Lawson’s future. If anyone asked about him, Tsunoda was instructed to say that was a question for team boss Mekies, not him. For deeper questions about strategy or team hierarchy, he was again told to defer to management.
This accidental leak offers a candid look at the intense PR planning that goes into every race weekend, especially when a driver is suddenly called up to replace another. It shows just how much thought teams put into every single word their drivers say.
What other secrets do you think those paddock clipboards are hiding?
