Japanese pilot Yuki Tsunoda, making his debut in the F1 championship, often stood out for his inability to control his emotions and could often be heard shouting uncontrollably on the team radio when something did not go as it should. Now the athlete tries to control himself, but admits that it is not easy.
Helmut Marko, head of Red Bull’s driver program, warned Cunoda that such behavior must not continue. He was also told to move to Italy, closer to the Visa Cash App RB team base, so that the athlete could be looked after more on a daily basis. Before that, Tsunoda was also known for his rather carefree lifestyle off the track.
Tsunoda now admits that not being able to control his emotions while on the track used to be a common trait for him.
“In front of me, it’s normal to press the radio button and shout something,” says Tsunoda. “But at the same time I want to change myself. So I’m pleased that I’ve made it a little bit. That’s the first step. To continue like this is the most difficult thing, but it is my goal and it must be done. But it is not easy. Even in my helmet I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.”
Tsunoda admits that even driving an F1 car, when cornering centrifugal forces put a huge load on the neck, is not as difficult as controlling one’s emotions.
“I didn’t know not using the radio would take so much energy,” laughs the Japanese pilot. “Keeping your stress to yourself takes more strength than the load on your neck while driving. Obviously, it will take more time before I get used to it. But this is the first success and I know that I can continue like this.”
This season, Tsunoda managed to overshadow his experienced teammate Daniela Ricciardo in the first three stages. He qualified at the front all three times and finished higher in two of the three races, including scoring the team’s only points for seventh place at the Australian stage.
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