Helmut Marko showers praise on Yuki Tsunoda after Nyck deVries’ early exit from AlphaTauri
Helmut Marko admitted he is impressed with Yuki Tsunoda's performance and claimed that most people underestimate the young Japanese.
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Yuki Tsunoda has had a fantastic season with AlphaTauri thus far, judging by the results he has garnered with his car in comparison to his teammate Nyck deVries. He has only scored two points thus far, but he has still shown a competitive form by getting into the top 10 with a car that is by far the least impressive on the field this season. After the departure of AlphaTauri’s longtime member Pierre Gasly, the Japanese driver has stepped up his game and is in the spotlights of Helmut Marko.
But Yuki’s excellence has now forced Nyck deVries to get ousted from F1 mid-season due to his poor results. While the Dutchman will no longer be seen partnering with the Japanese after the Hungarian GP, Red Bull Chief Advisor Helmut Marko, who has a say in the recruitment process of AlphaTauri, applauded Yuki. He said,‘‘I think Yuki is underestimated by many people. AlphaTauri is not the easiest car to drive, but Yuki has shown that good results can be obtained.“
After Daniel Riccardo was announced to be on loan in the AlphaTauri with Yuki, Helmut said that the Australian will bring healthy competition in AlphaTauri which might prove to be valuable to both the driver’s future. Both the drivers have received a good amount of prizes from the whole Red Bull franchise as what happened and how it happens is yet to be seen in Hungary GP.They have been both linked to the 2nd seat of Red Bull if Perez is sacked, but Yuki is ahead in line as the Red Bull promotion theory takes hold.
Comparison with Yuki Tsunoda compromised Nyck deVries’s AlphaTauri seat
Last year at Monza, one of the two Williams places called for a replacement driver because Alex Albon had a health emergency. De Vries stepped up to make his Formula 1 debut by snatching the opportunity to drive for the legendary team. After his strong performance with Williams at the Italian GP, the Dutch racer was appointed to take up Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly’s seat at Red Bull’s sister team at the behest of Helmut Marko.
As AlphaTauri were the first to make a deal for their empty seat at the garage with Nyck deVries, it is an undoubted fact that the Italian team believed in his talent. But, compared to Yuki Tsunoda, who has significantly improved over the course of his F1 career till now, the Dutchman displayed a much slower performance. This prompted his replacement by Red Bull reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo for the rest of the season, and now it remains to be seen if Yuki’s performance outshines the veteran from Australia too.
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Riddhi Mondal
(1821 Articles Published)