Yuki Tsunoda says he will try to “settle more and control myself” over the second half of the 2021 season.
The AlphaTauri rookie has endured a tumultuous first season in Formula 1 so far, having met with the barriers with the highest frequency of any of the 20 drivers on the grid over the first 11 weekends of the season, including at the last round in Hungary.Tsunoda admits that he knows he must do a better job of limiting the mistakes that have compromised his race weekends too often.
“I just can’t keeping continuing like that in the future,” Tsunoda says. “So I have to find out what’s the best way to settle more and control myself.”
The AlphaTauri driver’s teething troubles have been in stark contrast to established team mate Pierre Gasly, who sits 32 points above Tsunoda in the drivers’ championship.
The rookie says he will try and emulate the approach he took at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, that saw him reach Q3 before a late accident and finish the race in seventh place.
“We need to really work hard to make the car better I would say for my side, especially my car,” says Tsunoda.
“Also for my side, I have to change, almost, my approach. I would say the approach I took from Azerbaijan has been better and I still need to work hard.”
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Jere (@jerejj)
21st August 2021, 12:00
I hope this will be visible in his performance and results.
Mayrton
21st August 2021, 12:47
I keep struggling with letting F1 be a training ground. It seems to me the pinnacle of Motorsport shouldn’t be. Drivers should stick around lower classes longer if they’re not ready yet.
The Dolphins
21st August 2021, 13:30
In Yuki’s case it seems he was put in either due to pressure from Honda or as a sacrifice in hopes that it would please Honda to stay in F1. He did not show the potential or the maturity to have an F1 seat, in my opinion, and was prematurely graduated.
Silfen (@silfen)
21st August 2021, 15:59
I have to disagree.
Tsunoda was by far the best driver in the second half of the F2 season, after an inconsistent first half, last year and could have won the championship if not for some car trouble in the first Bahrain weekend which ruined his title chances.
If he has a similar second half in F1 as in F2 he should be fine.
Red Pill (@redpill)
22nd August 2021, 3:13
@silfen
I disagree that he was by far the best driver in second half in F2 last year, that distinction goes to Mick Schumacher and who actually won the F2 Championships in the 2nd half of the season coming from behind. Go look at the actual race numbers for 2020 F2 season.
Tsunoda had problems keeping the car on the track and was not very good at handling tire degradation they were fading faster, allowing cars to pass him before scheduled pits lap or near the finish. He would have really good quality qualifying results but reasons above hurt his finishes. The only race venue he did well at and score good points was the very last venue in the season. I have to highly commend him for doing so well in the last race and getting the job done under a lot of pressure, easily his best race weekend. He was in 5th overall in standings going into the last venue and outside of earning enough Super License points to drive in F1. He ended up winning the main race, allowing him to jump ahead Shwartzman and Mazespin in standings to finish in 3rd. Before the last race Tsunoda finished most of his second half of season races in 5th or lower. A lot of what we’re seeing now in F1 is what we saw in F2. He can be a very, very fast driver but believe he really needed another season in F2 to work on his weaknesses and develop his skills keeping the car on track and improve tire deg.
Silfen (@silfen)
25th August 2021, 15:58
Tsunoda scored the most points in the feature races, where Schumacher scored the most points in the sprint races.
And like I said, without the problems in the first Bahrain race weekend, Tsunoda would have probably scored enough points to become champion. Besides Schumacher he has the most podiums (7).
Consistency is what resulted in Schumacher winning the Championship, but imho Tsunoda was the faster driver and better racer.
Silfen (@silfen)
21st August 2021, 16:01
And he was a proper Red Bull junior unlike the other Japanese Honda drivers in the junior categories.
KrisK (@prime)
23rd August 2021, 2:11
I agree. These are supposed to be the top 20 drivers in the world.
erikje
21st August 2021, 12:56
Not sure if yuki wil succeed.
He had his time to change but failed to do so.
The car is good but his attitude does not fit the team and the car.
It’s only Honda that keeps him trying. But he has to deliver very fast and that’s the next problem, he breaks under pressure.
It’s a pity but this is his first and last season.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
21st August 2021, 22:34
As a coach I met once said, a bad attitude is like a flat tire. You ain’t gonna get anywhere with it.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
21st August 2021, 13:26
Not exactly got a pro mindset has he? I’m sure he could be half decent but needs to work on composure.
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
21st August 2021, 13:33
Seems to have raw speed, but unfortunately seems to have an ego that prevents him from listening or taking any advice, even from his engineers.
I doubt we’ll see Yuki past this year which is unfortunate given the wraps he got when he first arrived.
Jere (@jerejj)
21st August 2021, 13:46
@dbradock I’m sure he’ll stay for next season, but beyond is another matter if he doesn’t improve. He’s a rookie, so mistakes are forgivable to an extent, but next season is more critical for his longer-term F1 future.
Darryn Smith (@darryn)
21st August 2021, 22:00
These Japanese all seem to have this “samurai” mentality when they come in to F1. It usually never leaves them.
ferrox glideh (@ferrox-glideh)
22nd August 2021, 1:22
Like Alonso ;)
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
21st August 2021, 22:32
It’s called coaching…
andrewf1 (@andrewf1)
21st August 2021, 23:38
“We need to really work hard to make the car better I would say for my side, especially my car,” says Tsunoda.
The car is good. You need to work, Tsunoda.
He sounds like a child on the radio, he’s not mature enough for F1.
Dave
22nd August 2021, 10:36
Don’t know if he will be a failed talent…
Boudi
23rd August 2021, 10:49
You need to zip your mouth Yuki, this is the basic to control yourself.
Shimks (@shimks)
24th August 2021, 15:43
It’s a great shame because I watched a whole season of him in F2 and he was very exciting to watch. It’s another case of too much pressure, too soon, unfortunately.