Breaking news
Formula 1
Tsunoda secures Formula 1 graduation with AlphaTauri
The AlphaTauri Formula 1 team has finally confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda will partner Pierre Gasly in 2021.
Adam Cooper
Edited: Dec 16, 2020, 8:23 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The news has been expected for some weeks, with the Japanese driver having begun his preparations with an outing in a 2018 Toro Rosso at Imola last month.
He enjoyed his first run in the current car and on proper race tyres in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, setting the seventh best time of the day.
The 20-year-old, who is a protege of both Red Bull and Honda, will be the first Japanese driver to complete at the top level since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014.
Tsunoda made a big impact in the FIA F3 series in 2019 with the unfancied Jenzer team, winning the sprint race at Monza.
He was fast-tracked into the Carlin F2 team for this year and was a regular points scorer from the off. He won feature races at Spa and Sakhir, and a sprint race at Silverstone, and after strong end to the season he finished third in the championship.
Tsnuoda is highly regarded by Red Bull boss Helmut Marko, who told Motorsport.com in Abu Dhabi: “I love him! His speed, the way he overtakes, but also how quickly he learns how to nurse the tyres, and all of that.”
AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost said that Tsunoda has already impressed the Faenza outfit.
“Red Bull has been following Yuki’s career for a while now and I am sure he will be a great asset to our team,” said the Austrian.
“Watching him in F2 this year, he has demonstrated the right mix of racing aggression and good technical understanding. During the test in Imola in November when he drove our 2018 car, his lap times were very consistent over a race simulation, he progressed throughout the day and gave our engineers useful feedback.
“In addition, his integration with the Honda engineers has been seamless, which certainly helps. At the test in Abu Dhabi this week, he proved to be a fast learner and that he is ready to make the step to F1.”
Tsunoda said: “Like most racing drivers, it has always been my goal to race in F1, so I am very happy with this news.
"I want to thank Scuderia AlphaTauri, Red Bull and Dr Marko for giving me this opportunity, and of course everyone from Honda, for all their support so far in my career, giving me great opportunities to race in Europe.
“I must also thank the teams that I have raced with to get to this point, particularly Carlin, with whom I have learned so much this year. I realise that I will be carrying the hopes of a lot of Japanese F1 fans next year and I will be doing my best for them too.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mazepin loses court battle over failed attempt to buy Force India
Next article New lighting system opens door for more F1 night races
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
More from
Yuki Tsunoda
Five contenders to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Azerbaijan GP
Five contenders to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Yuki Tsunoda reveals why he failed to master Red Bull's F1 car in 2025
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Yuki Tsunoda reveals why he failed to master Red Bull's F1 car in 2025
More from
Racing Bulls
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
23 h
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Liam Lawson disqualified from F1 qualifying in Mexico – here's why
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Liam Lawson disqualified from F1 qualifying in Mexico – here's why
Latest news
Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 52 min
Dodge announces return to NASCAR Cup Series in 2027
Justin Allgaier confirms he will return for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Martinsville II
1 h
Justin Allgaier confirms he will return for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season
NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
4 h
NASCAR Cup Homestead finale to feature full field of 40 cars
Data reveals severity of Carson Hocevar's brake-check: "There's no denying it"
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
5 h
Data reveals severity of Carson Hocevar's brake-check: "There's no denying it"
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe