Tsunoda reveals he requires "special pedal kit" with AlphaTauri

Yuki Tsunoda has revealed AlphaTauri is working to develop a "special pedal kit" to better accommodate his slight frame in the cockpit of the AT02.

Just as Mark Webber had issues when entering the sport due to him being the tallest driver on the grid, the Japanese rookie is experiencing problems of his own as he is currently the shortest.

Red Bull lists Tsunoda's height as being a fraction over five feet tall [1.59m], six inches [18cm] shorter than team-mate Pierre Gasly.

Speaking before beginning his final outing of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, he said: “For the pedals, I’m having a really special pedal kit.

"Compared to Pierre [there] is a lot of difference for height so that is why they are trying to make a really different way for the pedals and that is why we were having the issue yesterday.

“But I already heard from the mechanics we had a good step for making it strong.”

After completing just 37 laps on Friday due to a fuel system issue, Tsunoda managed a full race distance of 57 laps on Saturday, and with a comparable pace to Gasly.

But Tsunoda concedes that along with the pedal problem, his pre-season testing has not been the smoothest so far.

“The first day it was quite a big issue which was the fuel tank system and I had to stop the session," added Tsunoda. "We decided after 37 laps it was a day.

“Yesterday was also, not from the engine, but gearbox, pedals and also a little bit engine when I was doing push laps. So there was a couple of issues yesterday."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

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

• 18 minutes ago

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

• 1 hour ago

Well done F1, Max Verstappen retirement is now entirely logical

• 2 hours ago

Aston Martin 'to appoint former Red Bull F1 chief' as Adrian Newey steps back

• 3 hours ago

F1 News Today: Max Verstappen furious as George Russell linked with shock Mercedes exit

• 3 hours ago

Mick Schumacher has picked up a new nickname after F1 exit and you will NEVER guess what it is

• Today 15:56