F1 News

AlphaTauri had to modify 2021 car so Tsunoda could reach pedals

16 April 2021 at 12:39
Last update 16 April 2021 at 12:42
  • GPblog.com

Yuki Tsunoda reveals that AlphaTauri had to modify the car, especially for the young Japanese driver so that he could reach the pedals. Eventually, the team came up with a special pedal box.

Smallest driver in the field

Tsunoda is currently the smallest Formula 1 driver on the grid. The Japanese driver is 1.59 meters tall, which required AlphaTauri to make a special pedal box, Tsunoda could reach the pedals.

"They made a special pedal case for me – I struggle to reach the pedals with a normal pedal [case]", Tsunoda revealed at the press conference quoted by Autosport.com. Tsunoda does think that this has given him new ideas to the team.

Many similarities with Gasly

Despite the difference in height between Tsunoda and teammate Pierre Gasly, the young Japanese driver thinks they are a lot alike. "I think Gasly and I are really similar – feedback after the sessions is always really good for the team."