Tsunoda feeling ‘more pressure to perform’ ahead of 2022 F1 season

Tsunoda struggled during his rookie F1 season as he was comprehensively out-performed by AlphaTauri teammate Pierre Gasly.

Despite his poor season, Tsunoda showed flashes of brilliance such as scoring points on his debut or finishing fourth at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Tsunoda thinks now he’s in a better position to adapt to the challenges and problems that are thrown up at him given he has a year’s experience under his belt.

“I'm really looking forward to racing again,” Tsunoda said. “I feel I have a much better understanding of what I have to do than I did a year ago, I know how to prepare in order to perform well. I know what my weak points are, I have all of my experience from last year to build on and I have been working hard to be ready. 

“Last year, if anything unexpected or unusual happened, I could not adapt quickly enough to deal with the situation, which is why I struggled in a lot of races. I ended last year well, with a fourth place in Abu Dhabi, so I want to carry that momentum into this new season. I feel more pressure to perform now than I did last year, but it's a good pressure, which is motivation for me when I'm training.”

Tsunoda remains confident he can continue the form he showed in the final part of last season - regular Q3 appearances and challenging for points - into this year.

“I want to improve my pace and the consistency in the way I drive,” Tsunoda added. “I know what I have to do to achieve that. If I can work the way I did at the last three or four races of last year, that will be a good way to start. 

“It won't be easy, but I am confident that I can achieve that.”