Tsunoda listens to Marko: "Just focus on Formula 1"

Yuki Tsunoda drove his first laps in a Formula 1 car last week. He did so for AlphaTauri on the circuit of Imola, near the team's factory. That test was important and went well. It looks like he will take over Daniil Kvyat's seat for next season.

The fact that the test in Imola has a lot of significance and that Tsunoda is really being prepared for Formula 1 by Red Bull is demonstrated by the fact that the Japanese missed an opportunity to race for his current team [Carlin Motorsport] in favour of this test.

"Carlin wanted me to drive Euroformula Open, a race at Spa-Francorchamps," the Honda junior is quoted by Motorsport.com. “I asked Helmut, and he said no, you just have to focus on Formula 1, nothing otherwise, just focus on Formula 1, to reach the 300km today, nothing like this.”

Last races Formula 2 all-important

In order to qualify for a super licence, a driver must have driven a minimum of 300 kilometres in a Formula 1 car. At least Tsunoda has now achieved this, but with this, he is not yet sure of a Formula 1 seat. He has to be at least fourth in the F2 Championship.

With two races to go, he is now third with a slim lead on the man behind him. So there is a lot of pressure on him, but Tsunoda thinks he can handle it. “I already prepared for that mentality from January, so I don’t feel much, I didn’t even feel much stress about that."