Likely 2021 AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda has revealed how Anthoine Hubert inspired him on his path to Formula 1.
The Japanese driver is set to replace Daniil Kvyat at the sister Red Bull team next year, this after a very impressive first season in F2, including three wins and a further four podiums, a record which could have easily been better with a bit more luck on his side.
Tsunoda’s performance at last weekend’s season finale was particularly remarkable as he won the Feature race and finished second in the Sprint to claim third in the final standings, just a single point behind Callum Ilott.
And that result more than met the expectations Red Bull had set him at the start of 2020.
“I was given information from (motorsport advisor) Helmut [Marko] that I had to do well this season and that I would need to be fifth to get a Super Licence,” Tsunoda told Formula1.com.
“He said if I was fifth, then I would qualify to drive in Formula 1, but if I was not, then I would need to drive in Japan again. It was strict, but I agree with him.
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“If you’re a good driver, like George Russell, Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc, then I think you only need one year in F2 – they didn’t need two or three years.
“You have to perform big in every single race, that is pressure, but it’s a good mentality. This year has not been too bad, but we’ll see what happens in the future.
“My dream is to be a Formula 1 world champion and if I’d struggled in Formula 2, then this would have been really difficult. I had to deliver in my rookie season, like Lando Norris and George Russell did.”
Tsunoda only arrived in Europe at the start of 2019, earning a seat in F3 following a three-day test in Hungary.
But after a somewhat muted first half to that championship, the 20-year-old revealed how the death of Hubert changed him as he raced in his honour.
“I wasn’t thinking much about the results at first, I was just pushing hard and waiting to see how it went, but Spa was a real turning point for me in 2019,” he said.
“We tragically lost Anthoine Hubert that weekend and he played a part in my results afterwards. I learned from him and raced for him and in Race 2, the day after his accident, I got a podium for the first time that season.
“The round after in Monza, I got another podium and my first win. It was a real turning point for my driving performance and that made Helmut a little bit impressed.”
With F1 now calling, Tsunoda is set to drive at next week’s test in Abu Dhabi, this after running in the 2018 car at Imola last month.
“I am really looking forward to testing with Scuderia AlphaTauri,’ he commented. “I enjoyed driving one of the team’s 2018 cars at Imola a few weeks back and I can’t wait to try the current car, taking part in an official test session with all the other cars on track.
“I really appreciate how everyone at Scuderia AlphaTauri has helped me to prepare for this session, and I also want to thank Red Bull and Dr. Marko for giving me this opportunity. During the session, my focus will be on following the team’s instructions and giving my feedback to the engineers.
“It will also be a chance for me to learn as much as possible and help my own personal development.”