Published：2023/6/22 07:06
Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver for AlphaTauri, has expressed skepticism about the competitiveness of the team’s AT04 car at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix. Tsunoda believes that the Red Bull Ring will present a tough challenge, similar to the difficulties faced by the team in Canada.
During the recent race at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, Tsunoda finished in 14th place, while his teammate Nick de Vries finished last. Tsunoda expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s the first time this year that we didn’t perform well enough to be in the top 10, so it’s disappointing. It wasn’t the weekend we wanted.”
The AT04 has shown good race pace so far this season but has struggled in qualifying. In Canada, Tsunoda qualified 16th and was demoted three times on the grid, ultimately finishing 14th from 19th on the back row. Tsunoda believes that if they had started higher up the grid, the weekend may not have been as challenging.
Looking ahead to the Austrian Grand Prix, Tsunoda anticipates another tough race. He explained, “Austria won’t be easy. I think it will be tough.” He also highlighted the difficulty of overtaking in the race and the importance of a good qualifying position to secure points in the sprint qualifying format.
Tsunoda admitted uncertainty about whether the AT04 will perform well at the Red Bull Ring but acknowledged the potential for updates to make a difference. He said, “We need a good car, but to be honest, I don’t know if our car will fit there. However, we don’t know what will happen, and there are some updates, so we have to do it.”
The Red Bull Ring, with a total length of 4,318m, is one of the shortest circuits on the F1 calendar. It features only 10 corners, with 3 of them being full throttle sections, resulting in a high average speed of approximately 230 km/h.
As the team prepares for the Austrian Grand Prix, Tsunoda and AlphaTauri will be aiming to overcome their qualifying struggles and secure a strong result at the challenging Red Bull Ring circuit.
[Image: Yuuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) holding down Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo), June 18, 2023 F1 Canadian GP final race]
[Image: Red Bull Ring grandstand with Max Verstappen (Red Bull) cheerleaders dressed in orange, 10 July 2022 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix]
F1 Austrian GP Featured
How did the AlphaTauri team’s struggles with the car setup in Canada affect their overall performance?
At 20th place. The AlphaTauri team struggled with the setup in Montreal, resulting in a lack of pace and poor performance.
In light of their struggles in Canada, Tsunoda is doubtful about the team’s chances at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, set to take place at the Red Bull Ring. The Japanese driver anticipates that the circuit will be equally challenging and believes that they will face similar difficulties as seen in Canada.
Tsunoda’s concerns stem from the team’s inability to find the right setup for the car, which affected their overall performance in the previous race. Both Tsunoda and his teammate de Vries struggled to match the pace of their competitors, with de Vries finishing at the back of the pack.
The Red Bull Ring is known for its fast and technical nature, which requires a well-balanced car setup to excel. Tsunoda fears that if the team fails to find the right balance for the AT04, they may struggle to compete against their rivals on this demanding circuit.
However, despite his skepticism, Tsunoda remains hopeful and determined to give his best during the race. He acknowledges that the team is working hard to address the issues faced in Canada and improve the performance of the car.
Tsunoda’s focus is now on finding the right setup during practice sessions and qualifying to give the team a fighting chance in the race. The Japanese driver understands the importance of optimizing the car’s aerodynamics and grip to tackle the challenging corners of the Red Bull Ring.
As the team prepares for the upcoming race, Tsunoda’s doubts reflect the competitive nature of Formula One, where even the smallest flaw or setback can have a dramatic impact on performance. Nonetheless, with the team’s collective efforts and Tsunoda’s determination, there remains hope for a strong performance at the Austrian Grand Prix.
