In an unique interview with Paddock Journal, Japan’s F1 hero, Yuki Tsunoda, revealed the highest three areas the place he has improved probably 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 to this point?
Yuki Tsunoda: Sure, I might say so. Clearly, the general result’s at all times a mixture of automotive efficiency and your efficiency. Final yr was already first rate, however we struggled tremendously with the automotive’s efficiency. To reply your query, that may be a sure. I’m in wonderful form now, and I’d additionally like to focus on my mentality and method to going into the race weekend. That is my finest season in System 1 to this point.
Out of your perspective, what are the principle components behind your spectacular efficiency this yr?
YT: Self-control and stress administration are two important components behind my spectacular efficiency this yr. 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; to this point, 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 finally enhances my efficiency.
That is my finest season in System 1 to this point.
Yuki Tsunoda
You touched on the indignant radio outbursts – you’ve acquired a brand new efficiency coach for this yr. Does John additionally aid you with the psychological aspect of issues? And typically, how essential is a coach within the each day lifetime of an F1 driver?
YT: Self-control is one thing that I used to be engaged on final yr as effectively, so it’s in a roundabout way coming from John. Really, Michael (Italiano) helped me quite a bit with that earlier than. As for John, I particularly like his method; he helped me rather a lot mentally. He’s giving me a whole lot of optimistic vitality, and it’s at all times enjoyable to talk with him. I’ve an ideal relationship with him exterior the racetrack as effectively. You’re primarily within the engineering room, within the automotive, or chatting with the media. Every time I wish to have some enjoyable durations, I can discuss with him; he’s the man who can preserve me mentally calm and constant. John is supportive, and my relationship with the physiotherapist is just not 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 to this point. 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 unquestionably sturdy, similar to Daniel. He’s very constant, and I can inform he has a whole lot of expertise and a successful mindset – he’s received 8 races in System 1. I can’t examine him with Pierre; they’re each highly effective drivers. On the identical time, I may be taught many issues from them; nonetheless, each are completely different characters. I had a superb relationship with Pierre, each on and off monitor. He was a superb teammate originally 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 wish to enhance myself as a driver constantly. Certainly one of Daniel’s strengths is his mindset—it’s very constant. He isn’t bothered with something, so each are very sturdy drivers.
He [Daniel Ricciardo] brings a whole lot of smiles and optimistic vitality to the engineering room.
Yuki Tsunoda
What’s it prefer to work with Daniel? Is he additionally easygoing throughout inner conferences?
YT: Sure, he’s. He brings a whole lot of smiles and optimistic vitality to the engineering room. He’s very mature, and I respect him rather a lot. He’s easygoing, and constructing a very good relationship with him is simple. His former teammates most likely share the identical opinion.
Dr. Marko not too long ago stated that you just’re a prime driver. Nevertheless, he can generally be robust on drivers—is he only a brutally trustworthy individual?
YT: He’s only a very open individual and doesn’t say any nonsense. He cares rather a lot about drivers, which is an effective factor. On the identical time, generally he will be difficult, however he’s simply being open and trustworthy. All in all, he’s a really open individual, and he’s by no means hiding something. Some drivers would possibly take it very strictly, however I feel he’s very open and useful.
Do you’re feeling prepared for a seat at a prime staff?
YT: Sure, anytime. I’m prepared for that; I’m assured in my skills and decided to maintain proving that I’m prepared and deserve a prime seat.
Are you able to identify the highest 3 areas by which you’ve improved probably the most since your System 1 debut?
YT: Self-control is unquestionably 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 essential is it mentally that your contract was prolonged early within the season?
YT: Actually, I can’t really feel that it decreased the stress or something. After all, it feels good to have a contract for subsequent yr, however I wasn’t stressing about it. Generally, 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 centered on the precise work with the staff and the standard of suggestions.
We frequently see you sporting very trendy garments. Do you could have a favorite model, and what number of garments do you could have in your wardrobe?
YT: My favorite model not too long ago is Sacai, a Japanese model. They’re collaborating with some very well-known individuals. It’s getting greater and larger – alternatively, it’s getting dearer on account of their collaborations. The value enhance is slightly bit unhappy, however I really like Sacai. Apart from that, for my part, all branded garments have grow to be 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 totally positive 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.
