Albon plays mentor to Tsunoda

Franz Tost confirmed from Mexico that his former pilot Alexander albon, reservist Red Bull Racing before finding a regular seat at Williams in 2022, played the role of luxury coaches for Yuki tsunoda in Alpha Tauri.

Arrived in F1 with two seasons of car European in the legs only, the Japanese beginner had a complicated start in the premier category, even if he launched his career with a fine 9th place at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Tsunoda then made a series of poor performances and costly errors, so much so that he was almost surprised to be sent back to Faenza (Italy) alongside Pierre Gasly in 2022.

The Japanese, however, seems to have found the key recently since he is now regularly in Q3 and has just scored 2 valuable points in the USA in the fight for 5th place in the Manufacturers' standings against Alpine.

Could it be the contribution of Albon, who is supporting him this season?

« Alex talks with Yuki, he explains the track to him and answers his questions, detailed Tost, team principal of AlphaTauri. I think it's really positive for Yuki because he can rely on Alex's knowledge.

Alex didn't have many free weekends in 2021 with his participation in DTM. He was told that when he was at the circuit, he had to support Yuki. And Yuki was told that he could go see Alex and ask him any questions he wanted. And it works pretty well! »

It must be said that if there is a driver well placed to know what it costs to not meet the expectations of the Red Bull house, it is Alexander Albon, promoted to Red Bull Racing after 12 races with Toro Rosso. in 2019, then demoted to the bench at the end of 2020 to make way for Sergio Pérez after suffering from comparison with Max Verstappen.

As for Tsunoda, it will undoubtedly be difficult for him to aim for points again this Sunday in Mexico because the Japanese will have to start from the back of the grid following a change of engine elements on his Honda-powered AT02.