Tsunoda warned after "nightmare" AlphaTauri crash

Sam Hall
Saturday 9 July 2022 14:50

AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost has revealed to Yuki Tsunoda being warned to be more patient after causing a "nightmare" crash with team-mate Pierre Gasly during the British Grand Prix.

Both AlphaTauri drivers were lapping inside the top 10 after recovering from a dreadful qualifying at Silverstone before Tsunoda attempted an ambitious overtake on Gasly.

It resulted in both drivers spinning off track, with Gasly forced to retire as a result of the damage sustained and Tsunoda penalised for his actions.

Asked how he had dealt with the situation, Tost said: "I talked to the drivers.

"Of course, this was a nightmare for the team because the drivers were in positions seven and eight and we knew that Silverstone was difficult for us therefore, we really were in good positions.

"Then Yuki got a little bit too impatient, tried to out-brake Pierre, lost the rear and crashed into him.

"Immediately after the race, I called Yuki into my office and I told him this is absolutely a no-go and that he has to be more disciplined and patient.

"This was not the first collision between team-mates and it will not be the last one. Hopefully, with us [it is].

"We have seen this in the history of Formula 1 a couple of times but nevertheless, this must be avoided."

Tost a fan of 'problem child' Tsunoda

In a recent interview, Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko gave his verdict on the eight former academy drivers that currently race in F1.

In his comments, Marko said: "The Japanese are usually credited with being courteous and disciplined. Yuki is neither!"

Asked of the disruption that comments such as these can cause, Tost explained: "I like problem children because these are the real good children that can make something out of it. I don't like the holy children.

"Yuki made a mistake, he knows it, and he will work on this. He is still in his development process.

"He is fast, he is also fast this weekend here and he will do it his way. Obviously, it takes a bit of time."