AlphaTauri have confirmed Yuki Tsunoda will drive for them in the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit one week from today.
The team previously indicated Tsunoda would drive for them next week if he gained a Formula 1 superlicence enabling him to make his race debut in 2021. He secured this at last weekend’s Formula 2 season finale, where Tsunoda secured third in the championship with a win and a second place over the two races.Tsunoda is widely expected to be confirmed as Pierre Gasly’s team mate at AlphaTauri for the 2021 F1 season. Gasly’s current team mate Daniil Kvyat indicated following Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix that he does not expect to remain at the team next year.
“I really appreciate how everyone at Scuderia AlphaTauri has helped me to prepare for this session, and I also want to thank Red Bull and Dr Marko for giving me this opportunity,” said Tsunoda.
“During the session, my focus will be on following the team’s instructions and giving my feedback to the engineers. It will also be a chance for me to learn as much as possible and help my own personal development.”
AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost said Tsunoda “showed at the test in Imola that he is a fast learner, able to easily get familiar with the car and was able to constantly improve every lap, so we decided to have him test with us at the Young Driver Test on the Wednesday after the race.”
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sumedh
8th December 2020, 10:40
Interesting that they didn’t confirm him for 2021 altogether. Either it is due to respect for Kvyat, or Red Bull wants to keep its options open for the remaining seats at RB and AT.
By not confirming Tsunoda, all 3 options remain open for Red Bull / Alpha Tauri – 1) Albon and Tsunoda or 2) Perez and Albon or 3) Perez and Tsunoda respectively
wsrgo (@wsrgo)
8th December 2020, 11:22
Gasly has already been announced by AlphaTauri for 2021.
Sumedh
8th December 2020, 11:39
Yeah, I am listing down the 2nd seat combinations of Red Bull and Alpha Tauri both (in that order) that are possible.
Hope
8th December 2020, 12:10
Is Vips the other one?
Jere (@jerejj)
8th December 2020, 12:44
Tost mistakenly said Wednesday even though it’s the Tuesday post-GP. Anyway, it’s only a matter of time before Tsunoda gets formally announced as the other regular Alpha Tauri driver for next season. Pretty much an open secret, as were Mick Schumacher’s and Mazepin’s places at Haas beforehand.