Yuki Tsunoda asserts that he has evolved into a more complete driver now that he has mastery over his emotions, especially concerning his team radio communications.
Since joining Formula 1, Tsunoda’s speed and aggression have never been in doubt. Both his single-lap and race pace have consistently proven his abilities. However, Tsunoda’s intense emotional outbursts on team radio damaged his overall performance and reputation. Recognizing this shortcoming, Tsunoda worked diligently under the guidance of former AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost and current VCARB management, including Laurent Mekies and Peter Bayer, to cultivate better emotional control on the track.
Tsunoda admitted that his emotional volatility was a stark contrast to the calm demeanor of Daniel Ricciardo, a fellow driver. This disparity highlighted the importance of emotional control for those aspiring to join a top team. Tsunoda remarked, “When I look from an outside perspective, previously, even [though] my one lap or performance or my driving was okay, I think the radio communications, emotional control was lacking quite a lot – a big step when I compare to Daniel, for example.”
Tsunoda emphasized that achieving greater emotional stability was crucial for becoming a more complete driver, one capable of meeting top teams’ expectations. He proudly stated, “I believe in myself and I am finding more control, more consistency. I’m very happy that I am able to hit the target every time.”
VCARB CEO Peter Bayer supported Tsunoda’s claims, noting that Tsunoda has become acutely aware of how his anger impacts his performance. Bayer stated, “He has improved by 1,000 percent on that. There is so little of that outrage that he [had] because he understood. He understood that every F is costing him a tenth. It’s so tight, and those distractions are… that costs you a tenth. And the tenth decides between P9 and P13. Yuki knows, and he’s there.”
Despite Tsunoda not being considered for a mid-season replacement at Red Bull, his contract extension with VCARB is a testament to his improved performance and emotional maturity. He remains optimistic about future opportunities, expressing his readiness to take on higher positions and compete against top drivers like Max Verstappen. Tsunoda concluded, “I just keep focused on what I can do but obviously, I’m feeling ready to fight against higher positions and teams, and also fight against Max [Verstappen]. But they have to decide.”
Yuki Tsunoda’s journey towards becoming a more complete driver highlights his commitment to emotional control and consistent performance. By addressing his key weakness, Tsunoda has positioned himself as a formidable competitor in Formula 1.
