Yuki Tsunoda will be behind the wheel of the AlphaTauri in Imola
The young Japanese Formula 2 driver, Yuki Tsunoda, will have the chance to complete his first laps in Formula 1 at Imola on November 4.
Currently 3rd in the Formula 2 championship, Yuki Tsunoda impresses as a rookie. Piloting his Carlin, the Japanese driver is one of the few consistently challenging the trio of Ferrari Driver Academy drivers (Schumacher, Illot, and Schwartzman). Despite 5 podiums including 2 victories, the 4 remaining races on the calendar may not allow him to fight for the championship, especially as Mick Schumacher seems unbeatable recently.
In addition to fighting for the F2 championship, the driver from the Honda and Red Bull clan will be able to test the AlphaTauri at Imola during Free Practice 1 on Friday, November 4th.
As a reminder, the last Japanese driver to be called to drive an F1 car was Naoki Yamamoto, Super Formula and Super GT champion, for the Free Practice of the Japanese Grand Prix in 2019 by Toro Rosso.
The number of seats in F1 is very limited, especially within the Red Bull sphere where Alexander Albon, Nico Hülkenberg, Sergio Perez, and Pierre Gasly are competing for a spot in the main team, and Daniil Kvyat, Alexander Albon, and Yuki Tsunoda for a seat at AlphaTauri.
The recent withdrawal of Honda from Formula 1 could indeed cost him his place in the premier category of motorsport to the benefit of another driver from the Austrian brand. In fact, in addition to being a Red Bull driver, Tsunoda is the protégé of the Japanese brand.
