AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost has to admit that his pupil Yuki Tsunoda sometimes still makes mistakes, but that he likes the temperament. Helmut Marko previously said the Japanese was a problem child and Tost agrees, but the team boss believes these are the drivers who can make something of it.
There is no doubt that Tsunoda can race a car. However, the 22-year-old driver can come across as hot-tempered on the radio and he does not shy away from a fight with his teammate. Last season, the AlphaTauri brought the Japanese to Italy so that it can keep more control. In addition, the team has engaged a psychologist so that Tsunoda can work on his temperament.
‘Nightmare’
Bee Formula1.com Tost gives his unvarnished opinion about his driver. He also mentions the incident at Silverstone. There, Tsunoda wanted to pass his teammate, Pierre Gasly. But in an attempt to outwit his teammate, both men got into a spin. It was a nightmare, according to Tost: “After the race I had Yuki come straight to my office and I told him that this is absolutely not possible. He has to be more disciplined and patient. This was not the first clash between teammates and will not be the first. be last.”
Future
Despite the admonition, the Austrian is happy with the driver. “These kind of problem children often make something out of it. He made a mistake [in Silverstone] and he knows that and he learns from it,” he continues. The team boss is clear about Tsunoda’s future at AlphaTauri, the Japanese is in his own hands. “If he continues what he is doing this season, apart from crashing , I think he has a good chance of staying with us. If he fails, he’s out. Very simple,” concludes Tost.
