Janice R. Andrews
Yuki Tsunoda, a key driver for Racing Bulls, has expressed confidence in his progress over the past year, emphasizing his focus on reducing excuses and maximizing his control over performance. Despite the team’s inconsistent form throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season, Tsunoda feels he has made significant strides in areas like communication and technical feedback, which have bolstered his contributions to the team.
“I just try to give them fewer excuses or reasons why I am not in the seat,” Tsunoda shared. “I focus on what I can control, and for everything else, I accept the situation. I’m confident I can perform better than what they may think.”
Progress in Communication and Technical Feedback
Tsunoda highlighted his improved ability to communicate effectively during races, particularly over the radio. His more focused and precise technical feedback has strengthened his collaboration with engineers, which he sees as a major achievement this season.
“My communication has improved, especially my radio language,” Tsunoda noted. “I’ve become calmer and more focused, providing better technical feedback. While I’m happy with my progress, I know I can still improve, particularly with the consistency and depth of feedback during races.”
Racing Bulls’ Performance Hurdles
While Tsunoda has worked hard to achieve consistency, Racing Bulls has faced challenges keeping pace with rivals, such as Haas, particularly as the season progressed and upgrades underperformed.
“It’s been difficult for us to consistently showcase our performance,” Tsunoda admitted. “Even when we performed well, the car didn’t always follow through. Overall, I’m happy with my consistency, although there are races I could’ve done better. I started strong and scored points regularly, but as competitors improved their cars, we struggled to keep up.”
Strong Team Support
Amid challenges and external speculation, Tsunoda has received unwavering support from Racing Bulls’ management, including Laurent Mekies and Peter Bayer. This backing has secured his position for another season as the team transitions to its new Milton Keynes facility.
“I don’t really care about what people say on social media because they don’t know the full story,” Tsunoda stated. “What matters is the team’s opinion, and I feel a lot of trust and support from them. They understand what happens in each race, and I truly appreciate their belief in me.”
Optimism for the Future
As Racing Bulls undergoes restructuring and operational improvements, Tsunoda remains focused on his development and helping the team progress. With continued support and a drive to refine his technical skills, he aims to build on his consistency and contribute to Racing Bulls’ competitiveness in the upcoming season.
