Yuki Tsunoda Hopes to Use His F2 Experience as Crucial New F1 Facet Poses Threat

AlphaTauri became the 5th team to reveal their 2022 car. The Italian team launched their new car in a short video in which both their drivers, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda were present.

This season, F1 has introduced new regulations. And these massive rule changes aim to bring the field closer to each other and promote better racing. One of the biggest new regulations are the bigger 18-inch tires. Being a former F2 driver, Yuki Tsunoda mentioned that having raced in F2 with these tires in 2020 would be an advantage for him.

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The switch to bigger wheels will prove pivotal for both drivers and teams. The driver who adapts better to the new tires will have an advantage over the grid.

I experienced the switch to 18-inch tires when I raced in F2: Yuki Tsunoda

As reported by Motorsport-Turkey, Yuki shed light on his 2022 preparations by mentioning how the new bigger tires are significantly different from the ones teams used in 2021.

He mentioned that the behavior of the 18-inch tires is very different in the long run.

Formula One F1 – Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria – June 24, 2021, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Christian Bruna

“In general, the car is much more precise, with sharper movements. On long runs, the larger tires feel completely different than the previous 13-inch tires. For me, it was not a new sensation, because I experienced the switch to 18-inch tires when I raced in Formula 2 and therefore I felt the same difference. 

It seemed very similar to me and so I think I can take advantage of the experience gained in F2. But this year it’s not just the tires that change, there are many new features to adapt to this year,” said Tsunoda.

It would be interesting to see if his experience in F2 comes in handy this season.

Since he had a below-average rookie season last year, it’ll be crucial for him to perform better if he desires to keep his AlphaTauri seat, or further, be promoted to Red Bull Racing.

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