05/09/2025 08:20
Yuki Tsunoda is hoping this is the year his wretched run of Italian
Grand Prix results comes to an end, and at a time when he needs it
most with his F1 future on the line. Tsunoda could not have asked
for four worse outings, sparked by his first whilst an AlphaTauri
driver in 2021. On that occasion, the Japanese driver collided with
Robert Kubica in the sprint before failing to start the grand prix
due to a brake failure. A year later, an accumulation of penalties
meant Tsunoda started at the back of the grid, going on to finish
14th. In 2023, he remarkably again failed to start due to an engine
failure on the formation lap, and then last year, he retired after
just seven laps due to floor damage sustained from a collision with
then Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg on the previous lap. It is a
catalogue of woe for Tsunoda, now with Red Bull, he wants to see
the back of. "I reset every year," he said, speaking to the media,
including RacingNews365 . "Although three out of four times I have
had DNFs, with a lot of troubles, so I hope I don't have that this
year. "I still enjoy this track a lot. Very challenging in terms of
confidence. When you have confidence, you know you can do a quick
lap. "For the race, it's quite a raceable track compared to others,
so I'm still looking forward to it." Tsunoda trying to exceed
expectations Tsunoda at least goes into the race on a positive note
after ending a seven-race points drought by finishing ninth in the
Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday. He was aided, however, by both Ferraris
of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as the Mercedes of
Kimi Antonelli, all retiring ahead of him. Nevertheless, Tsunoda at
least feels in a bouyant mood, especially believing his form has
improved following the arrival of Laurent Mekies as team principal
three races ago. As to whether he is doing enough, or can do enough
over the remaining nine races to secure his seat for next year,
remains to be seen, especially with Isack Hadjar impressing
superbly this season, notably in the last race at Zandvoort by
becoming the fifth youngest driver in F1 history to secure a
podium. As to whether he still feels he has to impress Mekies and
the team, he said: "That's what I'm trying to do every race. "You
always need results as much as possible. I try to exceed
expectations and just keep doing what I'm doing. "I don't think I
have to change much. Since Laurent joined, actually, my results
haven't been too bad. "Obviously, whether it's enough or not,
that's not for me to decide. But I just keep pushing."
