Yuki Tsunoda, the characteristically-spirited driver for Alpha Tauri, faces a pivotal moment in his Formula 1 career next year. Having debuted in 2021, Tsunoda’s journey in F1 has been marked by his feisty nature and smaller stature, leading some to view him more as a plucky participant than a potential top-tier contender for Red Bull Racing.
Adding to Tsunoda’s challenges is the shift in his career-long backer, Honda, moving to partner with Aston Martin in 2026. This change raises questions about the 23-year-old’s future in the sport, especially considering his mixed performance over the past two years.
“There were a lot of mistakes in the first two years,” commented former F1 driver Christian Klien on Servus TV, reflecting on Tsunoda’s early F1 days. “He was also very hot-headed. They had to cut off his horns a bit. But we also saw that with Max Verstappen,” Klien observed, drawing parallels with another much-more-conspicuous young driver’s growth in the sport.
However, there’s a silver lining as Klien acknowledges Tsunoda’s recent improvements. “You can tell that the routine is coming in now, as Yuki had a great season. You can now also hear on the radio that he has become calmer – or the FIA is no longer showing us everything, anyway,” he said with a laugh.
“In any case, he has matured into a good driver who can achieve good results,” Klien concluded, pointing to Tsunoda’s development.
But in the competitive realm of Formula 1, is being a “good driver” sufficient? This question looms large for Alpha Tauri, particularly as the team aspires to move beyond its junior team status in the coming year. With Daniel Ricciardo, a race winner, joining the team mid-course in 2023, the expectations are higher.
Peter Bayer, the new CEO of the Faenza-based team, emphasized this on Servus TV: “For us, the focus is that Yuki has to deliver.” He acknowledged the high stakes in the F1 midfield and the need for mental strength. “When a few thousandths are at stake in the Formula 1 midfield, it gets tough when the driver loses his nerve. But mentally, Tsunoda has improved significantly. His racing engineer Mattia Spini also tells me that.”
