Tsunoda: 'I felt the pressure of Helmut Marko on me'

Yuki Tsunoda, a Formula 2 driver, says he didn't expect his good performance last season. The youngster of the Red Bull programme achieved pole three times and two victories in his debut season.

The performance of Carlin Motorsport's 20-year-old driver has not gone unnoticed in Formula 1 either. To Honda's surprising news that the motorbike manufacturer will be leaving the sport after 2021, it seemed that Tsunoda would have a chance at AlphaTauri due to pressure from the Japanese. For the time being, it does not look as if he will get a seat very soon with one of the two teams powered by Honda engines.

"I honestly did not expect these achievements from myself", said Tsunoda in an interview with Motorsport.com. "At the beginning of the year, I immediately had a good feeling with the car. In Austria, I was fast at once and was able to attack immediately". He shouldn't say if he might be in one of the free practice sessions this season. "No, that's confidential information. But I do hope I get that chance. I would like to compare myself with the best drivers in the world".

"I have a good relationship with Helmut Marko, he is a nice and funny man. Last year I went to Austria to meet him and talk about the season that had just ended. He was not happy with the results I had achieved. Of course he knew I was a rookie and that I would have a hard time, but he asked a lot more of me. Then we had dinner together and he immediately asked me what my goals were and what I expected from him. I answered honestly, but then I felt the pressure on me...", Tsunoda concluded.