One of the bigger personalities in F1, are Yuki Tsunoda rookie cards worth collecting considering he had a tough first year? We’ve come up with a list containing three top options. 

Despite earning a reputation for being prone to crashing when he first started out, Yuki Tsunoda’s 2022 campaign saw a marked improvement, as he stamped out most of the unforced errors in his second year. His team might have struggled, but he earned another new deal for 2023. 

At the current time of writing, he has earned 44 points from 44 Grand Prix starts. In a similar theme, his best race finish was fourth place.

The Best Yuki Tsunoda Rookie Cards

Here’s a rundown with a trio of the best Yuki Tsunoda rookie cards to look out for. 

3. 2021 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Yuki Tsunoda RC #14 (eBay)

2021 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Racing is a great place to begin. Tsunoda is included in a total of nine cards from the set, including an image variation. It’s a solid place to start if you’re hoping for cheaper options, although the rarer parallels still attract a fair amount of bids at auction. 

The valuable Sapphire Edition also contains a variety of valuable Yuki Tsunoda rookie cards, and shares the same card numbers as the base collection. Check them out side by side below:

Sapphire versions have a Cracked Ice effect that makes them easy to identify. 

• Parallels: Base Refractor (1:3), B&W RayWave (1:4 Lite), Checker Flag (1 per box), Purple/Green (1:36), Gold/Purple (1:79), Orange/Red (1:98), Red/Green (1:187), Purple #/399, Purple Checker Flag #/199, Green RayWave #/99 (Lite), Gold #/50, Gold Wave #/50, Gold Checker Flag #/50 (Hobby), Gold RayWave #/50 (Lite), Orange #/25, Orange Wave #/25, Orange Checker Flag #/25, Red #/5, Red Wave #/5, Red Checker Flag #/5 (Hobby), Red RayWave #/5 (Lite), Black RayWave 1/1 (Lite), SuperFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1

Check prices of 2021 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Yuki Tsunoda RC on eBay

2. 2021 Topps Dynasty Formula 1 Yuki Tsunoda RC #DAP-YT (eBay)

The high-end 2021 Topps Dynasty Formula 1 set features a valuable signed release. 

From the Dynasty Autographed Patch subset, base copies (such as the example seen above) have a print run of 10. The patch is also pretty generous, taking up roughly one third of the card. It’s a great collectible if you’re after a premium option. 

• Parallels: Red #/5, Black #/2, Gold 1/1

Check prices of 2021 Topps Dynasty Formula 1 Yuki Tsunoda RC on eBay

1. 2020 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Yuki Tsunoda RC #YT (eBay)

The auto from 2020 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Racing takes the top spot, with a great posed image of Tsunoda smiling at the camera. A set that features a strong collection of rookie racers such as George Russell, there are fewer Refractors to chase, and no Sapphire Edition to worry about. The sticker auto is a slight letdown, but it’s carried by the strength of the brand itself. If you’d prefer a cheaper option, you can check out the unsigned version, which shares a similar design. 

• Parallels: Green #/99, Gold #/50, Gold Wave #/50, Orange #/25, Red #/5, SuperFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1

Check prices of 2020 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Yuki Tsunoda RC on eBay

Will Yuki Tsunoda still be an F1 driver in the future?

Tsunoda has had a difficult time as of late, and Helmut Marko, head of Red Bull’s driver development programme, wouldn’t be afraid to wield the axe if need be. However, he’s signed on for 2023, so he’ll be there until it finishes up in Abu Dhabi on November 26. A lot will depend on how he performs this season, and if he’s able to snatch a place on the podium. 

Yuki Tsunoda Rookie Cards: Final Thoughts 

Tsunoda is no longer a rookie, and will need to step up if he wants to be an F1 driver for the next decade. Red Bull has a pool of six drivers waiting to be promoted from F2, so it’s not like he can afford to underperform for another season. This year will be make or break, even if Honda really wants there to be a Japanese racer on the circuit. For now, we wouldn’t count him out.