Before the conclusion of the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, before the announcement of Liam Lawson replacing Daniel Ricciardo for the rest of the remaining six races of the Formula One season, Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda were the faces of HUGO x RB capsule collection.

Along with a denim-clad F1 car and a campaign opener involving CGI content showcasing the RB Team car hoisted onto a skyscraper for a jaw-dropping 360-degree burnout show, there is the HUGO x RB Fall/Winter capsule line. This limited-edition collection takes cues from both F1 and modern tailoring and mixes cutting-edge performance wear with streetwear sensibilities. With Tsunoda and Ricciardo fronting the collection, we talked to the duo a few days before the races at the HUGO boutique in Marina Bay Sands.

ESQUIRE SINGAPORE: What's the dynamic between the two of you? What were your first impressions of each other?

YUKI TSUNODA: [I think Daniel is] awesome, [a] tall guy. Like one of the crew, you know? So I was trying to not get too excited about him; that was my first impression.

DANIEL RICCIARDO: I don't think there was anything formal like an introductory session. Naturally, we're in a lot of meetings together at the track so you automatically start collaborating and working with the team. You'd learn a bit more about each other and how to be the best teammate you can be. We've activities away from the track as well so naturally, we get to spend time together and that kind of relationship forms and builds.

ESQ: Do you have any rituals you do before you race?

YT: For me, I'll drink Red Bull. Yeah, caffeine gives me wings for every lap. (picks up a can of Red Bull) I actually need this one just to wake myself up. I'd also do a bit of ping-pong with my trainer just to warm up the reactions.

ESQ: What about your Daniel? Any rituals or superstitions?

DR: I have a little bit of a routine, like a warm-up routine but no superstitions. I'm very anti-superstitions because there is so much noise already in our heads that I think, adding a level of superstition is adding more disruption. You know, we prepare so well that if you have a superstition and something affects it, you are already defeated in the mind before it starts. So, yeah, I don't like superstitions. That's my rant. (laughs)

ESQ: What are some of the favourite outfits from the HUGO x VISA Cash App RB capsule?

DR: Funnily enough, this is what [see image above] Yuki just picked out for me to wear to dinner. We had to dress each other and he gave me his t-shirt with his face all over it. Would I wear this out on my own? No. (laugh) But as a fan, these are quite fun. [Yuki's t-shirt] has a little bit of a retro feel. When I was young, I had similar style t-shirts of my racing heroes and stuff in that style.

YT: Obviously, I won't wear a T-shirt of myself but yeah, I like vintage stuff. I like to go to vintage shops in Brick Lane Market.

ESQ: Do you have any fashion essentials that you can't live without?

DR: I'll take Yuki with me. (laughs) Man... essentials. Glasses, yeah... sorry, sunglasses. I don't wear prescription but if I have to one day, I'll be okay with that because I think prescription eyewear looks really cool. I like it as a fashion accessory but I wouldn't wear glasses with [non-prescription] lenses... only when I really needed them. But sunglasses, that's probably the one thing I consistently carry with me.

ESQ: Is it so you can remain anonymous?

DR: It's more due to the fact that I have sensitive eyes. I need to protect them for racing, that's probably the most common reason. Sunglasses are easy; you can fit in your backpack.

YT: I care more about the accessories. Depending on the location, if I'm going out for a day or if it's a nice sunny weather, I like wearing rings and bracelets mainly. Maybe sunglasses too. Yeah, mostly I'll care more for the accessories.

ESQ: What are your favourite tracks to race in?

YT: For me, it's definitely Suzuka Circuit in Japan, okay? Obviously, maybe there's a bit of bias because I'm Japanese but the track layout is my favourite. I've done probably a lot of laps there more than any other tracks and I never get bored. Each lap makes me excited. So yes, Suzuka's definitely my favourite.

DR: I really enjoy Montreal; really fun track. For a most challenging track, it'll be this [Singapore Grand Prix] because of the heat. Physically, this [track was] probably the most challenging one I found. And it's a street circuit as well so if you make a mistake, you're probably crashing. There's not much margin for error. So, yeah, while your concentration sharpens; your fatigue increases and then the possibility for mistakes is higher... I like that challenge.

ESQ: What do you do off-track? What do you do to wind down?

YT: Didja say "wine"?  (laughs) But I really love wine. Especially, when there's a weekend gap, I'll go to a nice restaurant for a nice wine pairing with food, for example. I try to have a nice dinner as much as possible. And I'd sit in a sauna, to reset myself—reset my body and mind.

DR: I love going to see live music. Maybe not necessarily a massive concert festival but a smaller, intimate venue. When you go to a concert, everyone there is engaged in the music. They are kinda fixated on the artist and I enjoy watching someone else in their element. That's a way for me to enjoy a little bit of spare time.

The HUGO x RB capsule is available at select HUGO stores worldwide and online.