In an unique interview with Paddock Journal, Japan’s F1 hero, Yuki Tsunoda, revealed the highest three areas the place he has improved essentially the most since his F1 debut. And, extra importantly, is he prepared for a prime seat? Let’s discover out!
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There have been some ups and downs in automotive efficiency this season, however you scored greater than twice the factors your teammate scored [till the Spanish GP]. Is that this your strongest season in System 1 thus far?
Yuki Tsunoda: Sure, I’d say so. Clearly, the general result’s at all times a mixture of automotive efficiency and your efficiency. Final 12 months was already first rate, however we struggled drastically with the automotive’s efficiency. To reply your query, that will be a sure. I’m in glorious form now, and I’d additionally like to spotlight my mentality and strategy to going into the race weekend. That is my greatest season in System 1 thus far.
Out of your perspective, what are the principle components behind your spectacular efficiency this 12 months?
YT: Self-control and stress administration are two most important components behind my spectacular efficiency this 12 months. I focus extra on the suggestions from the engineers, and I at all times attempt to management myself within the automotive in order to not lose focus. Since Saudi Arabia, I’ve made additional progress in controlling my feelings; thus far, it’s been comparatively constant. So yeah, enhancing self-control and stress administration helped me develop how I construct up the race weekend and focus solely on driving and suggestions, which ultimately enhances my efficiency.
That is my greatest season in System 1 thus far.
Yuki Tsunoda
You touched on the offended radio outbursts – you’ve obtained a brand new efficiency coach for this 12 months. Does John additionally show you how to with the psychological aspect of issues? And basically, how vital is a coach within the every day lifetime of an F1 driver?
YT: Self-control is one thing that I used to be engaged on final 12 months as properly, so it’s indirectly coming from John. Truly, Michael (Italiano) helped me quite a bit with that earlier than. As for John, I particularly like his strategy; he helped me lots mentally. He’s giving me quite a lot of optimistic vitality, and it’s at all times enjoyable to talk with him. I’ve an ideal relationship with him outdoors the racetrack as properly. You’re primarily within the engineering room, within the automotive, or chatting with the media. Every time I need to have some stress-free durations, I can discuss with him; he’s the man who can maintain me mentally calm and constant. John is supportive, and my relationship with the physiotherapist shouldn’t be all about enterprise and coaching; it’s extra like a friendship. We’re very open to one another.
Based mostly on pure statistics, Daniel Ricciardo is your strongest teammate thus far. Is he the hardest one to beat?
YT: It’s arduous to say. I’m considering between Pierre and Daniel. Whereas driving alongside Pierre, I wasn’t within the form I’m in proper now. Pierre is certainly robust, similar to Daniel. He’s very constant, and I can inform he has quite a lot of expertise and a profitable mindset – he’s gained 8 races in System 1. I can’t evaluate him with Pierre; they’re each highly effective drivers. On the identical time, I may study many issues from them; nonetheless, each are totally different characters. I had a superb relationship with Pierre, each on and off observe. He was a superb teammate at first of my F1 profession. I’m very lucky that I may work alongside Pierre for 3 years. Now, with Daniel, I feel it was good timing for me as a result of I need to enhance myself as a driver repeatedly. One among Daniel’s strengths is his mindset—it’s very constant. He isn’t bothered with something, so each are very robust drivers.
He [Daniel Ricciardo] brings quite a lot of smiles and optimistic vitality to the engineering room.
Yuki Tsunoda
What’s it wish to work with Daniel? Is he additionally easygoing throughout inside conferences?
YT: Sure, he’s. He brings quite a lot of smiles and optimistic vitality to the engineering room. He’s very mature, and I respect him lots. He’s easygoing, and constructing an excellent relationship with him is simple. His former teammates in all probability share the identical opinion.
Dr. Marko lately stated that you just’re a prime driver. Nonetheless, he can typically be powerful on drivers—is he only a brutally trustworthy particular person?
YT: He’s only a very open particular person and doesn’t say any nonsense. He cares lots about drivers, which is an efficient factor. On the identical time, typically he will be difficult, however he’s simply being open and trustworthy. All in all, he’s a really open particular person, and he’s by no means hiding something. Some drivers may take it very strictly, however I feel he’s very open and useful.
Do you are feeling prepared for a seat at a prime workforce?
YT: Sure, anytime. I’m prepared for that; I’m assured in my talents and decided to maintain proving that I’m prepared and deserve a prime seat.
Are you able to identify the highest 3 areas wherein you’ve improved essentially the most since your System 1 debut?
YT: Self-control is certainly a kind of areas. Let me assume, that’s a difficult query… The opposite two can be stress administration and teamwork.
I’m decided to maintain on proving that I’m prepared and deserve a prime seat.
Yuki Tsunoda
How vital is it mentally that your contract was prolonged early within the season?
YT: Actually, I can’t really feel that it diminished the stress or something. In fact, it feels good to have a contract for subsequent 12 months, however I wasn’t stressing about it. Typically, there’s at all times stress right here, whatever the context of your contract. It’s good that I don’t have to consider the contract extension anymore, so there’s one much less to consider. Finally, it helps to be extra targeted on the precise work with the workforce and the standard of suggestions.
We frequently see you carrying very trendy garments. Do you will have a favorite model, and what number of garments do you will have in your wardrobe?
YT: My favorite model lately is Sacai, a Japanese model. They’re collaborating with some very well-known individuals. It’s getting greater and greater – however, it’s getting costlier as a consequence of their collaborations. The value enhance is just a little bit unhappy, however I really like Sacai. Aside from that, in my view, all branded garments have change into very costly, so I additionally like to purchase just a few random stuff. I like going round and procuring in London and shopping for random stuff I’ve by no means seen or heard about. As for my wardrobe, I’m not fully certain what number of garments I’ve as a result of I’m not shopping for many random clothes. I like sticking to a number of manufacturers however have over 50 or 100 garments.
