WATCH: Yuki Tsunoda’s trainer admits he almost blinded the AlphaTauri driver on his first day

Yuki Tsunoda's new trainer Michael Italiano caused a major incident on his first day with the AlphaTauri driver.

WATCH: Yuki Tsunoda’s trainer admits he almost blinded the AlphaTauri driver on his first day

Michael Italiano (image via Kym Illman), Yuki Tsunoda (image via Japan Post English)

Formula 1 drivers are considered one of the best athletes in the sporting world. F1 drivers must tolerate massive G-forces while driving the car and can even lose up to two kgs after a Grand Prix. As such, professional trainers work with the drivers to help them bolster their fitness. Although, Yuki Tsunoda had a concerning incident with his new trainer Michael Italiano.

Italiano was previously the trainer of Daniel Ricciardo for a long period before the Australian driver parted ways with McLaren at the end of 2022. Subsequently, the professional F1 coach switched to Yuki Tsunoda earlier this year. The two started working out before the start of the 2023 season. Unfortunately, things got off to a bad start with Michael Italiano hitting Tsunoda’s eye with a golf ball.

The F1 trainer admitted that he threw the ball toward the AlphaTauri driver. The golf ball hit right at Tsunoda’s right eye, with the Japanese driver visibly in pain. Italiano was frightened as he saw his driver on the ground, with the coach admitting that he felt like he would lose his job right then and there. Thankfully, Yuki Tsunoda did not sustain any injuries from this peculiar incident.

Michael Italiano stated, “He rolled back and forth in pain and held his eye. It was my new job and I completely freaked out and ran to the bar. I asked, ‘Are you okay?’, and all I heard was ‘Ouch.”

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Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo to go head-to-head as AlphaTauri teammates

Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda (image via Motorsport.com)
Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda (image via Motorsport.com)

Yuki Tsunoda impressed the higher-ups at Red Bull with his decent performances this season. The Japanese driver managed to defy expectations and annihilated Nyck de Vries as his teammate. De Vries was then sacked by the Faenza-based team, with a returning Daniel Ricciardo replacing the former Formula E champion. Although, the Australian driver was forced to look for a new trainer.

Ricciardo out-performed Tsunoda on his first race this year in Hungary. However, Yuki Tsunoda fought back in the next round at Spa-Francorchamps with an impressive points finish. As such, the battle at Faenza will deliver great action for fans, with the two drivers eager to prove their worth to Red Bull this season.

Thus, Yuki Tsunoda almost had a horrendous incident while training with Michael Italiano. Italiano joined forces with the Japanese driver at the start of the year. Unfortunately, this new pairing had a rather scary start to their relationship. Although, Tsunoda quickly forgave his new trainer, the two have continued to form a bond since then.

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