Tost: ''Yuki has to get used to a Formula 1 car"

On Wednesday Yuki Tsunoda will get his first chance to impress for AlphaTauri. The Japanese might well use this test, as he still does not have the super license for 2021.

It is a public secret that Red Bull are interested in Tsunoda driving for AlphaTauri in 2021. The Japanese driver is in Red Bull's programme he has been performing very strongly this season as a rookie in Formula 2. He is currently third in the championship, with the title still in sight.

The opportunity for Tsunoda

However, things can still go wrong, because Tsunoda has to finish in the top four in order to obtain his super-licence. However, the number six in the standings is only seven points behind Tsunoda, so everything is still possible. However, AlphaTauri are working hard to prepare him for his chance.

''Yuki has to get used to a Formula 1 car and this will be his first chance here at Imola. It is certainly not an easy track, but I will help him as much as I can," said Franz Tost, according to Motorsport-Total.com. AlphaTauri hope to let Tsunoda drive at least 300 kilometres. That way he will be eligible to drive a free practice in F1 and two free practice sessions are equal to one super-license point. Tsunoda may still need that.

Top drivers for AlphaTauri

''If he finishes in the top four, he gets his super license. If he finishes fifth, he'll need two training sessions in Formula 1 to get to the last point," said AlphaTauri's team boss. 

Tsunoda's chances seemed to diminish following the departure of Honda, but according to Tost that never had any influence. ''No, no, no. It is all about performance and has nothing to do with sponsorship. That has always been the case with this team. We have to be sure that he has the talent to be successful in Formula 1. Even though we are the sister team we also expect good performances from our drivers."