Red Bull F1 Car Catches Fire During San Francisco Stunt Show

Yuki Tsunoda's donuts in a 2011 Red Bull RB7 ended in flames, but the show went on.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

During a Red Bull Showrun event in San Francisco, Formula 1 reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda was performing donuts in a 2011 Red Bull RB7 race car when the vehicle suddenly caught fire. Tsunoda was able to safely exit the car as emergency crews extinguished the flames, and the event continued with other stunts despite the incident.

Why it matters

Red Bull's annual showrun events are a popular way for the brand to showcase its motorsports heritage and engage fans, but this incident highlights the risks involved when pushing vintage race cars to their limits in a public setting. The quick response and continuation of the event also speaks to Red Bull's experience in managing these types of situations.

The details

Tsunoda, who lost his F1 race seat with Red Bull after the 2025 season, was behind the wheel of the championship-winning 2011 Red Bull RB7 as part of the Red Bull Showrun San Francisco presented by Ford. During a series of donuts, the vintage F1 car suddenly burst into flames, with video showing Tsunoda calmly exiting the vehicle as the crowd reacted. Emergency crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire, and the event continued with other stunts in the same intersection.

  • The Red Bull Showrun San Francisco took place on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • The incident with Tsunoda's RB7 occurred during the event.

The players

Yuki Tsunoda

A former Formula 1 driver who now serves as a reserve and test driver for the Red Bull team.

Red Bull

An Austrian energy drink company that owns and operates a Formula 1 racing team.

Red Bull RB7

A Formula 1 race car that won the 2011 World Championship with driver Sebastian Vettel.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The next Red Bull Showrun event is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved when performing high-powered stunts with vintage race cars in public settings, even at well-organized events. However, Red Bull's quick response and the continuation of the show demonstrates their experience in managing these types of situations and engaging motorsports fans.