F1 News: Yuki Tsunoda Feels "More Like A Leader" As AlphaTauri Looks To Him For Guidance

Yuki Tsunoda thrives in his third year with AlphaTauri, showcasing improved consistency and emerging as a team leader while surpassing expectations.

Yuki Tsunoda, the young Formula 1 driver, is settling into his third year with AlphaTauri and, if judged by his considerable performance, is feeling more confident behind the wheel. In his rookie season, Tsunoda struggled with inconsistency and a short temper, making several mistakes and experiencing significant fluctuations in his performance.

While Tsunoda displayed glimpses of his immense potential, it was clear that improvements were needed when the Italian team offered him a contract for the 2022 season. Fortunately, progress was made last year as the Japanese driver managed to keep up with his best friend-teammate, Pierre Gasly, who is considered a strong benchmark in the sport, now sat in an Alpine seat. 

Despite Tsunoda's advancements, many, including Helmut Marko and various Formula 1 pundits, believed that Nyck de Vries would outshine him this season after his performance replacing Alex Albon at Williams at the Italian Grand Prix last year. But so far de Vries has disappointed, making Tsunoda's performance even more contrasting. 

“I think I have to be, especially since it’s my third year and because we’ve lost Pierre [Gasly], [the team] want someone to trust,” he told the press.

“And I have to be someone who can give a new impetus, especially now that we are having some performance difficulties.

“So I want to be as comfortable as possible in terms of on-track performance, so whatever car they give, at least you know I will give 100%.

“And I want to feel like this. I don’t want the team to worry about my performance, which I don’t think happened when Pierre was there, especially in 2021."

With Tsunoda now the face of the team, it's far to say he has settled well into the role, with sources telling me that he almost has a "cult following" within the AlphaTauri walls as he excels in leading them further up the grid. 

“I feel I have more leadership. I’m starting to feel more like a leader," he says.