Despite having fun with an encouraging spell on the Visa RB group, Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that he’s prepared to go away his present group ought to a extra promising alternative emerge for subsequent 12 months.
Tsunoda made his F1 debut in 2021 with the Faenza-based outfit which was then known as AlphaTauri. The Japanese driver was paired with Pierre Gasly for his first two seasons on the pinnacle of motorsport earlier than the Frenchman elected to go away the Italian group in favour of Alpine.
The former F2 driver raced alongside Nick de Vries and Liam Lawson final 12 months earlier than Daniel Ricciardo took the second seat on the Italian group which has been renamed as Visa Cash App RB outfit for the present season.
Tsunoda didn’t have a formidable begin to the 2024 F1 season, having struggled for tempo within the opening races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. He then went on to attain his first factors in Australia, ending the Melbourne race in P7.
At his house race, he narrowly completed contained in the point-scoring zone, ending up tenth so as to add a single level. While Tsunoda retired from the race in Shanghai, he took a seventh and Tenth-placed end within the final two races in Miami and Imola.
Speaking of his season up to now, Tsunoda stated: “I imply, up to now very proud of the VCARB. I imply, now we’re combating, like, nearly… Yeah, generally like even P7 or P8, so I imply different choices… and like in all probability now the highest groups are just about taken so… I imply, in all probability we are the strongest group within the midfield not less than.
It’s all about precision on the streets of Monaco 🇲🇨#Orlen @TeamORLEN @grupaorlen pic.twitter.com/xrgFACT4SQ
— Visa Cash App RB F1 Team (@visacashapprb) May 22, 2024
Asked about his plans for subsequent 12 months, Tsunoda disclosed that he has formidable targets as he wish to step up the ladder. He didn’t cover that he’s keen to affix the senior group of Red Bull, albeit he’s additionally open to different potentialities, together with Aston Martin which is able to associate with Honda from 2026.
“We’ll see. I believe, clearly, particularly when I’m in Red Bull, you wish to all the time intention for Red Bull. But, you recognize, if they do not need me or, you recognize, they are not anticipating me into the seat, yeah, if I’ve obtained an fascinating provide that may very well be higher than even VCARB or Red Bull, yeah, I’ll give it some thought.
“But I also have a big loyalty to Red Bull as without them I wouldn’t be here. And obviously Honda as well. And speaking of Honda, maybe Aston Martin, but you know, Aston also, they’re taken by two drivers. So yeah, I mean, it’s pretty open, but so far I’m happy with VCARB,” Tsunoda stated.
