Is AlphaTauri Lining up a Red Bull Junior to Join the Team Soon?

With the 2020 season well underway, there are a number of eyes turning towards the 2021 F1 season. One of them is AlphaTauri Team Principal, Franz Tost, who is eyeing the next potential driver. His current target is Japanese driver, Yuki Tsunoda, whom he has praised on multiple occasions.

To be honest, Honda can only dream of PR boost they would get if a high-level Japanese driver is called up to race in one of their cars. Sadly, their search has almost always been fruitless, at least in the upper echelons.

However, they can take comfort in the fact that a Japanese prodigy is on the rise. This can also spell good news for Honda’s F1 customers, who will be scouting Tsunoda like hawks.

Tsunoda already made a name for himself during the 2019 FIA Formula 3 and is in the thick of the 2020 FIA Formula 2 season. The F2 category has delivered several talented drivers into the F1 fold.

Notable alumni include Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, and Antonio Giovinazzi.

Will AlphaTauri sign Yuki Tsunoda?

Honda and Red Bull have backed Tsunoda’s career for a long time, and he has repaid the faith. This is why AlphaTauri believe that he is their future and has the potential to race for Red Bull.

However, he has to walk before he can run, which is why he should get a shot at the Red Bull B team. AlphaTauri, formerly Toro Rosso, is a team that gave rise to Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz, and Max Verstappen.

Tost said, “First of all, Red Bull and Honda are supporting Tsunoda because he is a fantastic driver. He is a very talented driver, he has so many qualities that he showed in Formula 3 last year and that he is showing again this year.

“He is still improving his performances, he is becoming more and more experienced and I expect to have him, sooner or later, in AlphaTauri, of course.

“I remember the race in Austria when he raced in wet track conditions. He was leading the standings, he was leading the race, but due to a radio failure, he was called into the pits too late. To pit stop, but clearly it was too late. And anyway he finished second. Then at Silverstone he won the race.”