Tsunoda back in F1 test action for AlphaTauri at Misano

Yuki Tsunoda is carrying out a two-day test with AlphaTauri at Misano as he continues his preparations for his debut Formula 1 season in 2021.

After completing a two-day test at Imola last week, the Japanese driver has been back behind the wheel of a 2019-spec STR14 Toro Rosso in the 2020 AlphaTauri livery at Misano on Tuesday and Wednesday to get further running under his belt ahead of the upcoming 2021 F1 campaign.

It marks Tsunoda’s fourth appearance in F1 machinery, having had his maiden outing in a 2018-spec Toro Rosso car at Imola last November, before taking part in December’s post-season test with AlphaTauri in Abu Dhabi, where he drove the team’s 2020 AT01 contender.

While testing with current cars is heavily restricted, running conducted using a car that is at least two years old is unregulated, enabling AlphaTauri and Tsunoda to complete unlimited mileage. 

AlphaTauri has taken advantage of this to hand Tsunoda multiple tests, with Italian venues Imola and Misano only a short drive away from its Faenza base.

Extensive running at Imola will also enable Tsunoda to get familiar with one of the circuits on the 2021 F1 calendar, with the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari set to host the second round of the season. 

SEE ALSO: Why there is so much excitement surrounding F1's next Japanese driver

aaaand @yukitsunoda07 is back on track

who else loves the sound of an @f1 car in the morning? pic.twitter.com/WA5R9ayIix

— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) February 3, 2021

It is particularly important for Tsunoda to get as much track time as possible heading into his maiden F1 campaign given that pre-season testing has been cut back to just three days of running for cost-saving reasons with teams carrying over their 2020 chassis amid a freeze to major development.

The 20-year-old, who has enjoyed a staggering rise through the junior ranks and earned his F1 graduation following an outstanding rookie Formula 2 campaign, is set to only get 1.5 days - the equivalent of 12 hours - behind the wheel of AlphaTauri’s 2021 car before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Tsunoda has insisted he is not daunted by the prospect of being the youngest driver on the F1 grid this year and said he is unafraid of making mistakes during his first season.

Crash.net understands that AlphaTauri is planning on carrying out a further outing with Tsunoda in the STR14 car at Imola prior to pre-season testing in Bahrain on 12-14 March.