Since making his Formula 1 debut early last season, Yuki Tsunoda has earned a reputation for being uncut on the radio, as well as often yelling about things happening to him in the car.
This has led to curious moments, such as his ‘traffic haven’ being added to the paddock lexicon, but also to some of his bosses not being too happy with him on this front.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko oversees all of the brand’s junior drivers, including Tsunoda, and said before the Austrian Grand Prix that the Japanese driver was “prone to outbursts of anger, but he’s fucking fast.”
Marko also revealed that the structure had recently hired a psychologist to help Tsunoda, who said he hoped it would prevent him from “overheating” while in the car .
But Tsunoda downplayed the image of his anger in the car, believing he has better controlled his temper this year.
“Lately I’m able to control it well , compared to last year for sure. I don’t think it’s just me who gets angry on the track.”
“It seems that I specifically am more angry than the others, because I’m probably yelling, that’s why. I’m not so angry lately. I keep calm,” he said.
“Of course it’s not every time. But yeah, I think there are other things I have to focus on, so I don’t really care about these things too much.”
“I think even if I scream, as soon as I do well that week, no one cares,” said the young AlphaTauri driver.
AlphaTauri has already confirmed that Pierre Gasly will remain with the team for 2023, but has not yet made a final decision on the driver who will take the second seat.
Team principal Franz Tost said in Austria that Tsunoda had a “good chance” of keeping his seat , despite his recent slump in performance, which has seen him score no points since the Spanish Grand Prix.
Tsunoda explained that, heading into last weekend in France, he wanted to get back to “the normal routine and the pace that I had in the first three or four races” with an upgraded AT03 .
The Japanese was the best of the team in qualifying and managed to make it to Q3 to secure eighth place on the grid, although a first lap contact with Esteban Ocon would ruin his race. Ocon received a five-second penalty for causing the collision, and Tsunoda was forced to retire.
“It had understeer in the middle of the corner and it crashed into me, so I couldn’t do anything, to be honest.
“It was a shame. I think it was possible to be in the top eight easily. A real shame. I will have to come back stronger in Hungary and score good points,” he concluded.
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