Yuki Tsunoda firmly in the hunt for second 2021 AlphaTauri seat

AlphaTauri

Tsunoda firmly in the hunt for second 2021 AlphaTauri seat

Japanese driver is closing in on a drive with the team

Will Gray

Wednesday 28 October 2020 15:28

AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost has confirmed Honda protégé Yuki Tsunoda is still in the frame for a race seat in 2021.

Tsunoda had a seat fitting at the AlphaTauri factory in Italy recently and will test for the team at Imola on November 4, three days after this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with further running planned ahead of a final decision on drivers.

It is now certain if Tsunoda is recruited he will replace Daniil Kvyat after AlphaTauri confirmed Pierre Gasly will again drive for the team next season.

Article continues under video

With the 20-year-old Japanese currently third in the Formula 2 standings, and closing in on an F1 super licence, Tost said: “The driver line up is not decided yet for next year.

"We had Tsunoda in the factory to make his seat, because after the race in Imola we will do a 300-kilometre test

“Maybe, but this is not decided yet, he will do an FP1 once, and then he has two [F2] races in Bahrain and we will see where he is finishing the F2 championship, in regards to the super licence.

“Then he will do the Abu Dhabi young driver test, and then Red Bull will decide who will be the driver line-up for Scuderia AlphaTauri in 2021.”

Tsunoda was signed up to the Red Bull junior team and Honda’s Formula Dream Project to drive in the FIA F3 series in 2019. He stepped up to F2 this season and is currently trailing Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott with wins at Silverstone and Spa.

Before you go...

Mercedes' record-breaking season 'setting roots for 2022' - Wolff

Hamilton now facing rush to sign new deal after driver salary cap agreed

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Christian Horner in ‘Aston Martin meeting’ as Newey replacement speculation rages

14 minutes ago

Max Verstappen F1 ally 'approached by Aston Martin' in shocking twist over Adrian Newey replacement

57 minutes ago

F1 champion admits getting caught with ‘sneak peek’ at Adrian Newey’s sacred notebook

1 hour ago

Kimi Antonelli's father had 'clear the air talks' with Mercedes after F1 absence

2 hours ago

Well done F1, Max Verstappen retirement is now entirely logical

3 hours ago