Yuki Tsunoda F1 career – A Japanese driver and a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, has garnered extensive support from the Honda team, positioning him as a strong contender for a seat with the Formula 1 team AlphaTauri. Tsunoda clinched the Japanese Formula 4 championship for Honda in 2018, paving the way for his progression to Formula 3 in 2019. Following a ninth-place finish in the championship, he earned a promotion to Formula 2 in 2020, competing for Carlin.
Early Career
Born on May 11, 2000, Yuki Tsunoda embarked on his racing journey, like many drivers, in karting. Between 2009 and 2015, he climbed the ranks, securing multiple titles in Japan. Although his first year at the European level, in Formula 3, only resulted in a ninth-place finish in the final standings, it proved sufficient for him to advance to Formula 2. There, the young Japanese driver showcased his considerable skills, securing a spot on the podium after just three races.
Yuki Tsunoda in Formula 2
In 2021, Tsunoda joined AlphaTauri for Formula 1, previously competing in Formula 2 for Carlin. The Honda-backed driver finished third in the championship with 200 points. Ultimately, he fell just one point short of second place, concluding the season with a 15-point gap behind the champion, Mick Schumacher. Memorable moments from the season include the race at the Sochi circuit in Russia, where Tsunoda made impressive overtakes, leaving a lasting impression on Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing’s advisor.
This led to the young Japanese driver replacing Daniil Kvyat, who struggled to make an impact in his final season with the Italian team. Tsunoda became one of the three debutants in the 2021 Formula 1 season, alongside Fernando Alonso, who made a comeback with the Alpine team. For Japan, Tsunoda’s presence marked the emergence of a new young talent in Formula 1 since Kamui Kobayashi’s departure in 2014. There is hope that Tsunoda will prove himself in his debut season.
Tsunoda in 2021
In the 2021 season opener in Bahrain, Tsunoda made a favorable impression, but his performance declined in the second race. The rookie struggled to acclimate to the sport, evident in his results. While teammate Pierre Gasly consistently maximized the potential of the AT02, Tsunoda lagged behind. Nevertheless, in 2022, he has another opportunity to prove himself at AlphaTauri.
Yuki Tsunoda F1 career Yuki Tsunoda F1 career
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