Tsunoda stunned by 'physical' F1 test debut

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emailBy Chris Medland | November 4, 2020 10:16 AM

Red Bull and Honda junior Yuki Tsunoda admits he was surprised by how physical he found driving a Formula 1 car for the first time at Imola, and says he will have to work on his fitness before a likely FP1 run in Bahrain or Abu Dhabi.

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Tsunoda was making his debut in F1 machinery at the venue of last weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, driving a two-year-old AlphaTauri car with a Honda power unit. After completing more than the required 300km to help him gain a Super License, Tsunoda – who had both wet and dry conditions – says the braking performance and strain on his neck stood out on the opening day.

“It was easier for the driving, but also harder for the more physical aspects,” Tsunoda said. “I expected it to be a little bit less hard from a physical (perspective), especially the neck because I have quite a lot of confidence that I don’t get a tired neck. In my life, even in Formula 2 I don’t feel the neck much and my neck is pretty strong, but after I drove the Formula 1 car today it was pretty hard.

“It felt hard, especially in the braking zones, the braking performance, I always went (forwards) and I tried to avoid going like that but still the braking power is more than I expected. So I need to do lots of training until the next session or next event I drive Formula 1, to prepare a lot.”

Tsunoda is expected to replace Daniil Kvyat next season and is likely to get an FP1 outing at one of the final three rounds this year, but Formula 2 is racing on two of those weekends in Bahrain. The Japanese youngster admits it will be a tough test of his skills if he has to drive both cars on the same day, given the difference in performance between machinery.

“The power, after I went on throttle, you feel initially a big power from the engine which I don’t feel that much in Formula 2. I think that power is more than I expected. The first session was raining, but even in the rain there is really, really big performance when you initially went on throttle, even in wet conditions it was more than I felt in Formula 2 in dry conditions. So that was the biggest surprise for me today. And also the second thing for me was the braking performance in dry conditions was really big. Huge.

“If I drive Free Practice 1 in Bahrain, Formula 1, it’s going to be a very tight schedule. I need to adapt quickly to each car. There’s a big difference between F2 and F1. It’s going to be a challenging weekend. Also I have to put together all my experience from F2. It’s going to be a big challenge if I drive F1 FP1.”


Tsunoda needs a top-five finish in FIA Formula 2 to secure the required Super License points to race in F1, but says he is not feeling the pressure as he currently sits third in the standings with two rounds to go, both in Bahrain.

“The target was created at the beginning of the season, it doesn’t make much difference now. I’ve already prepared with that mentality since January, so I don’t feel much stress about that. I just have to focus for free practice in F2, and first corner and first braking zone, what I have to do. I have got to focus session by session, also lap by lap.”

AlphaTauri, Imola, Yuki Tsunoda, Formula 1

 

Tsunoda to conspiracy theorists: ‘get an MRI’ or a colostomy with a garden hose.

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emailBy Chris Medland | September 8, 2022 3:08 PM ET

Yuki Tsunoda says anyone believing his retirement from the Dutch Grand Prix was part of a conspiracy to help Max Verstappen win needs their head examined.

The AlphaTauri driver stopped on track reporting a loose wheel, then was told to return to the pits by his team. After having his belts re-tightened and tires changed, Tsunoda was sent back out but reported the same issue and stopped again, causing a Virtual Safety Car that allowed Verstappen to pit and retain the lead while under pressure from the Mercedes drivers. However, Tsunoda was not impressed by any conspiracy theories that he was trying to influence the outcome of the race.

“It’s funny that fans are really excited to always create a story,” Tsunoda said. “It’s just a super simple fact that there was an issue in the car and we’ve confirmed it was a differential issue. Of course, the situation made it a little bit confused. But there’s not such room to complain to the team, myself and also especially to Red Bull, such a to be honest crazy, crazy story.

“I was also running in a good opportunity to score points, but so far behind that I was not a threat, so there’s not any reason to help Max, you know?”

Asked if he understood why fans were cynical, Tsunoda replied: “First, I don’t wanna know! I don’t care.
Why don't you speak Japanese to me?

“I want to ask what you brain looks like — scan the MRI and see what’s wrong. It’s funny how they create a story. Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri are completely different teams — we are in Italy, they are in the UK. We compete in a completely different field. I don't know how we got on the same track on the same day.”

Tsunoda says he doesn’t expect such a response to a retirement despite the fact Red Bull owns AlphaTauri and runs its junior drivers in the team. Just because they are my boss, you think I would do what they tell me or Get fired?

“First, I didn’t know Max was driving in P1 or P2. I don’t care about Red Bull Racing because I’m just focusing on my job. The restart and things that made it confusing for everyone… but we didn’t find an issue — if the team thinks there wasn’t any issue in the car, then I agree, why don’t they ask me to restart again to race? Even if we are not in the points.

“I felt straight away there was an issue, clearly. That situation made it a little bit confusing. Lots of people think about what is going on. There’s not any connection between Red Bull and AlphaTauri for those things. In that case, why don’t they ask Pierre (Gasly)? I was in front of him.”