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Tsunoda believes if you're good enough you only need one year in F2

18:46, 20 Nov 2020

byGPblog.com

Yuki Tsunoda could find himself in an F1 seat next season after a short spell in Formula 2. The Japanese driver believes top talents only need one season in the feeder series.

All or nothing for Tsunoda

The Youngster revealed how Marko gave him some advice to help him on his journey to F1. "Helmut [Marko, ed.] Told me to do well this season and be fifth for a super license," said Tsunoda.

"He said if I finished fifth in the championship I would have a chance to go into Formula One. If I didn't make it, I would go back to driving in Japan."

Norris, Russell and Leclerc didn't need longer

With a place in F1 up for grabs, Tsunoda pointed to current young drivers in F1 as examples of talent getting you to the pinnacle of motorsport. "If you are a good driver, like George Russell , Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc then you only need one year in F2. They didn't need two or three years."

The Carlin driver is keen on a seat in F1. It's not just his own dream that is at stake, but the wishes of thousands of Japanese people: "They are waiting for a Japanese F1 driver and I am the one closest to it. I want to deliver it to them."

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2 Comments

Neil Henderson 21 November 2020 at 08:08+ 3182

its nice to see this young man's confidence but history tells us that this simply isnt true. it's not a one size fits all kind of thing. it depends on many factors.
generally drivers have needed a few years after getting out of karts, usually at the f3 type level. some need a few years when the cars have real power (ex. f3000, gp2, f2).
once in a blue moon the generational driver comes along; those who dominate at every level in their first year but it's rare; and its usually when the field isn't necessarily so super deep in terms of competition.

even then it is no guarantee of success in the bigs.

history is littered with #1 draft picks that went nowhere and f1 is no different. remember how utterly magnussen sr. dominated f3 - stewart compared him to senna. heidfeld & hulkenberg dominated at each level growing up. luca badoer was brilliant in the junior ranks, as did emanuele piro and ... nothing. coming over from indycar bourdais, zanardi & michael andretti accomplished zero, zilch, nothing, nada in f1.
it's a bit brash of tsunoda to say this especially given his country's history in terms of driver contribution. apparently this kid has real talent, so i'd like to see him get his shot, but another year in f2 to maybe dominate and cement his confidence wouldn't be the worst thing; certainly in place of grosjean or giovinazzi or (please god stroll or latifi), [if grosjean gets another opportunity in f1 after this i'm taking a glock with me to the pearly gates].

that being said only time will tell if he's got what it takes to succeed in the big show.

Mech Engineer 20 November 2020 at 23:46+ 55267

That is true, the young and really top drivers only spend one year in F2 but they finish either P1 or P2 for the year, not any lower. If he is only targeting to be at P5 to get into F1, then with the level of other drivers on the grid, he will be totally overwhelmed. Having Mick in the field is a correct move, as he will likely finish this year in P1, but anything lower, should not even be allowed on the F1 grid. Latifi was P2 in F2 last year. Just compare his driving to a his team mate who was the F2 Champion.