The most successful Japanese driver ever to race in Formula 1 is still Kamui Kobayashi, who reached the podium at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix while driving for Sauber. After ending his F1 career, Kamui switched to endurance racing and became two-time world champion with the Toyota factory team, as well as winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
But Yuki Tsunoda, who has been playing for the team, then called AlphaTauri and now renamed RB, since 2021, plans to block his compatriot’s performance, at least in Formula 1.
“Of course I want to repeat his achievements and achieve more,” Yuki said in an interview with Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times. But now a lot has changed in Formula 1 and I plan to focus on what depends on me, on what is in my power.
Every Japanese racer paved the way for those who followed. Without Takuma Sato (who raced in the world championship from 2002 to 2008), Kobayashi might not have come to F1 and I wouldn’t be racing here now. I really appreciate what they have done and have a lot of respect for them.”
In almost four seasons, Tsunoda has scored 83 points and Kobayashi 125, but when Yuki was asked if he could surpass this national record – Tsunoda, by the way, became the 18th representative of this country in Formula 1 – the RB driver answered with confidence:
“Yes. I want to become world champion one day. Of course, this will not happen in the next phase of my career and the time for that has not yet arrived, but I want to prepare myself as well as possible. For example, I try to overcome my weaknesses, including learning to control my emotions better and becoming a more mature professional.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
