Tost and Marko like Honda talent: 'Sooner or later he'll be at AlphaTauri'

Yuki Tsunoda could be the first Japanese driver in Formula 1 in 2021 since Kamui Kobayashi's last race in 2014. Tsunoda impresses Helmut Marko, where Daniil Kvyat again disappoints.

Since Honda's return to Formula 1, in addition to winning a world championship, there is another goal that Honda wants to achieve: A Japanese driver in F1. With Tsunoda, that driver now seems to be found. The young talent has already won the Japanese F4 championship, several races in F3 and F2 and is now fourth in the current Formula 2 championship.

''We have Tsunoda who is doing very well in his first year in Formula 2. He has had mechanical problems twice and would otherwise be at the top. We also have to remember that this is his first year in F2 and only his second year in Europe'', Helmut Marko praises Motorsport.com.

Tsunoda still needs a super license to make the move to Formula 1, but that seems feasible. ''For that he has to be fifth and he is now fourth in the championship. If he doesn't feel any pressure he will be the fastest by far (in free practice), but in qualifying he won't be able to do that yet'', says Marko.

Tsunoda is lucky in this respect, because alongside Pierre Gasly, Daniil Kvyat is performing very poorly. The Russian is already working on his resit at AlphaTauri, but does not get close to his teammate. So there seems to be a farewell between both parties, especially as Tsunoda is high on Honda's wish list as a Japanese.

''Honda will certainly not be angry about that'', jokes Marko when asked about Honda's opinion to give Tsunoda the seat. ''It is a great driver with many qualities. He showed that in F3 and now more. He is gaining more and more experience and sooner or later we will see it in an AlphaTauri car'', concludes Franz Tost.