AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that he feels “much more prepared” for the 2022 F1 season than he did ahead of his rookie campaign in 2021.
Having graduated to F1 from F2 at the end of 2020, Tsunoda impressed in pre-season testing ahead of the 2021 season with the second quickest overall time , yet struggled at times throughout the campaign as he finished 14th in the driver standings.
The 21 year-old though now feels ready for the physical demands of F1 this time round in a 23-race season, as he said: “My overall fitness improved a lot from last year and now, just before the start of the season, I feel very different.
“Last year I didn’t expect anything and I wasn’t fully in control of all the situations. Now I know much better what I have to do to improve myself. I have a clear target and I am more relaxed. I am happy and my mentality is good and ready for the first race.”
Tsunoda also iterated that his main focus is on cutting out his rookie mistakes across this season with a year’s experience now under his belt.
“It’s true that I have to deliver more and reduce the number of mistakes I make compared to last year, but I don’t feel any pressure. I am convinced I can achieve that and I’m not worried about making mistakes.”
2022 though see new technical regulations come into effect with Tsunoda also looking to help develop his AlphaTauri across the campaign with “good feedback”, having built up that aspect of his driver skillset across last season as he familiarised himself with F1 demands at various circuits.
This season though will see him encounter three new circuits in Miami, Singapore and Australia plus drive at his home race at Suzuka, Japan for the first time, having previously driven a F4 car around that circuit which is 45 seconds slower than a F1 car.
Acknowledging how “very different” the new car is compared to last season, Tsunoda believes that the new 18-inch Pirelli tyres are the biggest change, which has brought a “much sharper, snappier in high speed corners” feel to the car.
Tsunoda however has the advantage of having driven the 18-inch tyres in F2 in 2020 so he is hopeful “that experience could be useful now.”
On the prospect of closer battles within races with reduced dirty air from following cars in front of him, Tsunoda is still cautious given the difference between testing and actual racing especially in the opening laps when cars are closer together.
Porpoising however was an issue affecting many teams in pre-season testing including AlphaTauri which Tsunoda viewed as a minor issue, although he is hesitant to predict where he lies in the pecking order.
Tsunoda though is heading into the new season full of confidence as he concluded: “I’m in better shape I know how to adapt to a track as quickly as possible, staying calm at all times.”
Gasly Feeling “positive” Heading Into 2022 Season
Pierre Gasly meanwhile enjoyed a “positive” pre-season testing with no reliability issues but too is hesitant to predict where he and the team lie in the pecking order.
Gasly who finished ninth in the driver standings last season also felt that the new car provided “very different sensations” compared to last season’s car, from increased sliding to bigger tyres impacting upon visibility within the cockpit.
The one-time race winner unlike Tsunoda however felt that it was “easier” to follow other cars after enjoying “a nice little fight” against Lewi Hamilton during the second pre-season test.
Gasly meanwhile is confident that Tsunoda can bring more quality to data analysis as he added: “This year, Yuki will be able to bring a bit more to the team as he has more experience, he will contribute more in terms of technical feedback and so we have a strong line-up.
“It will be up to the two of us to get the job done and bring home as many points as possible for the team.”
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