Yuki Tsunoda often struggled during his rookie season in 2021 and was easily outpaced by AlphaTauri teammate Pierre Gasly.
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AlphaTauri F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda admits he is feeling the pressure to perform in the 2022 Formula 1 season. However, he admits it is the good kind of pressure.
Tsunoda often struggled during his rookie season in 2021 and was easily outpaced by teammate Pierre Gasly. However, he showed strong form in the latter parts of the season.
The key now, according to the Japanese driver, would be to carry on that momentum into the 2022 season.
“I ended last year well, with a fourth-place [finish] in Abu Dhabi, so I want to carry that momentum into this new season,” said Tsunoda at AlphaTauri’s season launch.
“I feel more pressure to perform now than I did last year, but it’s a good pressure, which is motivation for me when I’m training.
“I’m really looking forward to racing again. I feel I have a much better understanding of what I have to do than I did a year ago, I know how to prepare in order to perform well.
“I know what my weak points are, I have all of my experience from last year to build on and I have been working hard to be ready.
“Last year, if anything unexpected or unusual happened, I could not adapt quick enough to deal with the situation, which is why I struggled in a lot of races.”
He also admitted he would miss having Honda around in the paddock. The Japanese company backed Tsunoda throughout his junior career.
“It’s been so important to have had Honda’s backing throughout my career so far. I have had many opportunities I wouldn’t have had without Honda and I have learnt so much. I owe them a lot and together with Red Bull, they are an integral part of my development as a driver.”
He did, however, say that he is glad to still have the Honda power unit for this season.
I will be missing some of the people we used to work with but I’m sure we’ll be able to benefit from the same reliable and powerful PU we had last year.
“I’ll also be missing the Honda hospitality in the paddock; I won’t be able to enjoy a nice Japanese breakfast there! It was part of my routine to start the day like that and motivate myself.”
Tsunoda further added he was looking forward to racing at Suzuka this year. The Japanese GP hasn’t taken place for two years now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the race is scheduled for this year and he is naturally excited about being part of his home race.
“Yes, I’m really looking forward to that; driving in Suzuka will be special. It has always been my dream to drive in F1 in front of Japanese fans. And it would be really good to get an extra special result there.
“For now, I just want to concentrate on producing a better overall performance than last year. I feel I’m better prepared,” he concluded.
