Yuki Tsunoda Opens Up on Personal Adversity as Daniel Ricciardo Emerges as Perfect Role Model

Drivers cannot win Formula 1 races with outright speed; there is always an element of strategy involved. The team relies on the radio system as an essential aspect to realize their strategy and challenge for wins. While drivers focus on taking apexes at lightning speeds, their engineers use the radio system to provide them with vital information about the race. But for one driver, the radio seems to be a struggle. Yuki Tsunoda has gained notoriety among Formula 1 fans for his emotional outbursts on the team radio. Known for his competitive nature, Tsunoda is not one to back down from speaking his mind. But this ‘transparency’ has not exactly helped the Japanese driver’s case.

The young driver with a dream to own a restaurant has struggled with his composure and has been critical of his behavior in the past. Tsunoda’s intentions to mend his ways are visible. He just might be helped out by the driver best known for being ‘Calm and Cool’.

What has Yuki Tsunoda struggled with the most?

The AlphaTauri driver is in his third season in Formula 1 and has garnered vast experience compared to his rookie season. But there’s one stubborn problem that persists. Tsunoda can’t get used to how loud it is inside the cockpit. The 23-year-old blames the Lombard Effect for his ‘radio rage’ moments. We’ve all been yelled off by someone for unwillingly shouting at them while wearing earphones. That is exactly what Tsunoda experiences!

Sharing his struggles with RaceFans, Tsunoda said, “Sometimes, my radio is quite shouty,” he confessed. “It’s not because I’m angry. I’m not just really used to, at least not yet, talking on the radio while I’m driving.”

“You can’t hear much what you’re saying. I feel like I have to speak loud to reach the radio, but the radio’s here. So I always forget this. You can’t even speak like this, quietly, the engineers can hear it. So those things and like still very communication how I behave – especially in bad moments, bad times, I tend to always be really aggressive and excited.” Tsunoda has had quite a difficult time in Formula 1. He lost out on his fair share of deserved results without stepping a foot wrong himself. But the Red Bull junior driver has done well enough to secure another year with AlphaTauri.

READ MORE: Daniel Ricciardo Named Direct Competitor Days After Helmut Marko Ranted on Sergio Perez’s Red Bull Future

While he may be hot-headed, his self-awareness is clear as day. But there is one person who might be of immense help to an eager Tsunoda. The team dynamics at AlphaTauri shifted drastically when Nyck de Vries was booted to make space for Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo has almost a decade of more experience in the sport than Tsunoda. The Japanese driver aims to pick up a thing or two from the Honey Badger on team communication!

Daniel Ricciardo’s ‘happiness’ is Tsunoda’s focus

They say the harshest battles in Formula 1 are the ones between teammates. But tell that to Yuki Tsunoda! He has had three different drivers in the seat beside him this season alone. Given Liam Lawson’s performance in equal machinery, the pressure is on Tsunoda to not just perform, but stay in the good graces of the Faenza-based manufacturer. And he knows just the right man for the job! His new teammate!

Reflecting on his experience with Ricciardo so far this season, Tsunoda was impressed by one key strength of the Australian, “Especially how he behaves with the team. Even in the moments that don’t go well, how he treats the team, what he says on the radio, those things give them more confidence. More happiness – ‘happiness’ is a little different, but it changes the atmosphere.”

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Most F1 drivers are focused on improving race craft. But Tsunoda has set his priorities straight. “I want to improve on the radio,” he said. “How I behave with the team in general will be key and that’s what I want to focus on, rather than scoring points whatever.” With such a holistic approach, it will not be long until Tsunoda overcomes his ‘Radio Rage’ and shifts his focus to his racecraft. 2024 will be the season to watch out for Alpha Tauri!