Helmut Marko praises ‘top driver’ Yuki Tsunoda for “controlling his emotions” in 2024

Helmut Marko admitted that Yuki Tsunoda had become a top driver in F1.

Helmut Marko Yuki Tsunoda (images via IMAGO)

Red Bull Motorsport Consultant Dr. Helmut Marko recently labeled RB’s Yuki Tsunoda as one of the top driver in F1. The Austrian believes it’s the Japanese driver’s first season of consistent improvements in his performance. Marko even revealed that Tsunoda was in demand currently.

Helmut Marko praised Yuki Tsunoda on how he has changed since he joined Formula one. The Japanese driver has developed significantly as a driver showing much improvement. Tsunoda is known for being an emotional driver but now he has control over his emotions and has reduced making mistakes on the track.

Yuki is now a top driver... This is the first season Yuki is consistently fast and controlling his emotions... Yuki has changed a lot since his arrival in F1. He has really improved in his development. He is an emotional driver and he manages to limit his mistakes.

Helmut Marko told le journal de Montreal

The 81-year-old explained how other teams have noticed Tsunoda’s progress and and are interested in having him as their driver. However, the team decides to keep him because he’s young, talented and fits well with our teams goals and values. That’s why Red Bull decided to extend his contract for another year.

FS Video

He was in demand by other teams. He is young and he fits our mould. That’s why we’ve just extended his contract for another year.

Helmut Marko added

Discover: Alexander Rossi hits out at FIA for making Super license exemption for Andrea Kimi Antonelli despite rejecting Colton Herta in 2022

Laurent Mekies describes Yuki Tsunoda as an ‘ambitious driver’.

RB team boss Laurent Mekies has noticed Yuki Tsunoda’s value rising in the drivers market, he reckoned the 24-year-old is part of the Red Bull driver program, which means he must have the ambition to eventually race for the Red Bull team. The Japanese has that ambition and is doing everything he can to prove himself. The 47-year-old emphasized how driven Tsunoda is and noted their shared ambition, which leads them to push each other to be better.

He is a Red Bull driver, so you must have the ambition to go there. He has it, and he is doing everything possible to show it. He is ambitious – we are too, we put pressure on each other.

Laurent Makies said, as reported by motorsport.com

The French engineer reckoned, if Tsunoda continues continues to improve and makes another big step forward next year, it will be hard for anyone to overlook his talent. His progress could make a strong case for him to join the main Red Bull team in the future.

And if next year he takes another step like that, it will be difficult for anyone to ignore.

Laurent Mekies said

Overall, Yuki Tsunoda’s efforts can be noticed and he has developed his skills more and worked hard to control his emotions too. It would be very surprising for fans to watch Tsunoda improve more in the upcoming races and help team to capitalise on some points.