“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Yuki Tsunoda on learning from the mistakes made in the rookie season

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Yuki Tsunoda on learning from the mistakes made in the rookie season

Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda debuted with AlphaTauri in 2021 and finished the season at P14 with 32 points to his name. His best finish came in the finale where he finished P4 and bagged 12 points. While his first season didn’t go anywhere near the expectations or his teammate Pierre Gasly, he surely has made some strides since then and currently leads his experienced teammate by 4 points, with a total of 10 to his name in the first four races of the season.

Reflecting on the first season in F1, Yuki commented he didn’t know what was doing, indicating the driver was lost and overwhelmed. As quoted by Autosport.com, he said, “Last year at the same time I was not fully in control. I didn’t know what I was doing, you know? And every lap just pushing to the limit, and that’s how things happen.”

He added, “But actually, that made me improve, so that was really good learning as a driver. After that I went to bad loop, but that makes good learning as well as a driver… So, I think compared to last year it is a massive step, especially in the race pace.”

Yuki Tsunoda on controlling his aggression over the radio

Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki’s aggression in the first year over the radio isn’t new to anyone. He was heard shouting and having outbursts that weren’t received well by anyone, especially his team. The driver has acknowledged his flaw and believes to have improved his behaviour. 

He claims, “Yeah, I will say, on the radio… maybe I’m still shouting, just I’m not pressing the radio [button]. This is a massive step, maybe, compared to last year. But still I try to be more calm. Of course, I was respecting engineers, but I think maybe [now I] more try to respect.”

The Japanese seem to be enjoying the drive since he had a blast at the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. While he is yet to win his first podium, the team principal, Franz Tost, praised him saying, “I must say that he is really developing himself and his performance in a really good way.”

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