One of the biggest stories to come out of 2023 so far is the mightly impressive form of Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda. The 23-year-old has had a storming start to the current campaign.
In the first five races of 2023, the AlphaTauri has finished P11 three times and P10 on the other two occasions in Australia and Azerbaijan. It’s been even more credible when you consider the AlphaTauri is the ninth or tenth faster car at the moment.
Tsunoda is in his third season in the sport and at AlphaTauri. 2021 was difficult for the young Red Bull junior as crashes and mistakes left him thinking he would lose his seat. However, he got another chance.
In 2022 he was far more competitive against Pierre Gasly (9-13 compared to 1-21 in 2021 in the qualifying head-to-head) and cut out a lot of the errors that hampered him the year before. He also cut the gap from 78 points two seasons ago to 11 in 2022 in the Drivers’ Championship.
This time around Tsunoda’s doing even better, comfortably outperforming his new teammate Nyck de Vries and the car to date.
Speaking about Tsunoda’s start to the season, Christian Horner believes the Japanese driver is not at the level required to be in a Red Bull at the moment, but he is satisfied with Tsunoda’s gains.
“I don’t think he’s at that level yet,” said Horner. “But he’s making great progress.
“We’re seeing he’s maturing as a driver. He certainly has the speed, and I think as he gains experience I’m sure he’s going to become more rounded.”
“He’s driven some strong races so far this year.”
Franz Tost has been Tsunoda’s team boss since the Japanese driver’s debut at Bahrain in 2021. Like Horner, he believes a bit more time is needed before the 23-year-old is ready for a top drive.
“He is fast, he has done a fantastic job in the last two years,” said Tost.
“If he continues like this, that he improves race by race, that he shows the performance, then Red Bull will discuss it and I think that he is in a good way, but the rest we will see.
“He needs another year for sure.”
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
