Yuki Tsunoda experiences "a whole different world" with AlphaTauri Imola test

AlphaTauri

Tsunoda experiences "a whole different world" with AlphaTauri Imola test

Tsunoda currently sits third in F2 championship

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 4 November 2020 17:14 Updated: 19:14

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Formula 2 driver Yuki Tsunoda claimed to not feeling "much stress" about securing the super licence points required to race in Formula 1 after completing a test with AlphaTauri.

Red Bull and Honda junior driver Tsunoda has been strongly linked to partner Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri next season, replacing Daniil Kvyat.

In order to secure the number of points needed to gain the FIA super licence required to make the step up, Tsunoda must finish at least fifth in the final F2 standings.

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Although currently third in the standings, Tsunoda is only seven points clear of sixth-placed Nikita Mazepin, who has been heavily linked with a move to Haas.

Following an outing in Toro Rosso's 2018 STR13 at Imola, completing a total of 352km - 300km was required that will now allow the 20-year-old a potential FP1 outing this season - the Japanese driver insists he is relaxed over his situation.

“Because the target was clear from the beginning of the season it doesn’t make much difference, even now," said Tsunoda. “I had already prepared for that mentally from January so I don’t feel much stress about that.

“I just have to focus for free practice in Formula 2, the first corner and first braking zone what I have to do, and I just have to focus session by session and lap by lap.”

Describing his first outing in an F1 car as "great fun", Tsunoda added: "It was a whole different world to the F2 car I am racing this year, especially in terms of the increased power and also the braking performance.

"I didn’t worry about my lap times, I just focused on getting used to the F1 car and completing the 300 kilometres. I’m pleased to have managed it."

Tsunoda was forced to run on full-wet tyres early in the test due to the conditions before being able to switch to dry rubber and completing a race simulation, described by team principal Franz Tost as "very consistent".

Explaining the precarious situation surrounding super licence points, Tost added: "If he is in the first four he gets the super licence but if he is fifth he needs two FP1s because there you get a point as well."

Tsunoda is also to run in the young driver test in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season, yet he may not know by then if he has secured his place in F1.

"We are not in a hurry," added Tost. "If it’s before the end of the season it’s fine. It also depends on where Yuki ends in the championship because this is a very important factor." Before you go...

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