Japanese fans hesitant towards Tsunoda: 'Want to see what I'm going to do first'

Yuki Tsunoda had an excellent debut in Bahrain by scoring points immediately in his first Formula 1 race with a ninth place. The reactions on the Japanese driver were very positive, but especially from Europe.

The young Japanese only raced for a few years in Europe, but already managed to make a big impression. Especially to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko who promoted him to Formula 1 after one year in Formula 2. By immediately scoring points and showing nice overtaking manoeuvres, he proved Marko right.

Tsunoda himself remains quite level-headed about it all and also in Bahrain, he didn't let himself get upset. "There wasn't much that surprised me about Bahrain, except the large amount of media work I had to do. I didn't expect that," Tsunoda said in his team AlphaTauri's press release. "It probably helped that we had our winter test at the same track."

Not being easily impressed by things applies not only to Tsunoda but also to his compatriots. "It was interesting that after Bahrain I think I got one more reaction from European fans than from those from Japan. It's a cultural thing: Japanese fans want to see what I do in a few races before they get a good impression."

Tsunoda was surprised by all the reactions from Europe, though. "I didn't expect it, because Bahrain was not a perfect weekend for me and I was hoping to finish higher. I'm happy with the support from the fans, but I don't feel any pressure from it, I take it as something positive and this weekend I'm just going to do my job."