F1 constructor AlphaTauri have announced that 22-year-old Yuki Tsunoda will race for them in 2023. The Japanese who joined the Italian team in 2021 has been the second driver to Frenchman Pierre Gasly and has gathered 11 points so far in the current Formula 1 season.
Yuki Tsunoda started his racing career at age 10 when he started karting in 2010 and has moved through the ranks of F4, F3 and before making his debut for AlphaTauri in the F2 Championship for AlphaTauri where he claimed three wins, four poles and seven podiums. This helped him finish third on the championship table with 200 points.
Yuki Tsunoda eventually got his F1 berth when he replaced Daniil Kvyat for the 2021 F1 Championship and he finished 14th in the drivers’ championship after hauling 32 points. In a statement released by Yuki Tsunoda, he said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Red Bull, Honda and Scuderia AlphaTauri for continuing to give me the opportunity to drive in F1. Having moved to Italy last year, to be closer to the factory, I really feel part of the team and am glad that I get to carry on racing with them in 2023. Of course, our 2022 season isn’t over yet and we’re still pushing hard in the midfield battle, so I’m fully focused on finishing it on a high and then we will look forward to next year.”
AlphaTauri boss, Franz Tost, had nice words for Tsunoda saying: “As we’ve seen since he joined us last year, Yuki is a very talented driver and has improved a lot this season. The pace he has shown recently is clear evidence of a steep learning curve, which proves he deserves a seat in F1, and I still expect some strong results from him in the last six races of 2022. As I always say, a driver needs at least three years to fully get to grips with Formula 1, so I’m pleased he’s been given the time to show his full potential.”
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