Franz Tost says 23-year-old F1 driver with ‘natural speed’ has to work harder now

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AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost has suggested that Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda has to work harder if he’s ever going to become a ‘top driver’.

Tost was speaking on the Beyond The Grid Podcast about the popular 23-year-old.

There’s been plenty of movement and speculation surrounding the Red Bull group this year.

Sergio Perez’s long-term future at Red Bull is far from safe and Tsunoda has had three different teammates this season.

He started alongside Nyck de Vries who lasted just 10 races before being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.

The Australian is eyeing up a place in the main Red Bull team but missed out on several races due to injury and Liam Lawson impressed in his absence.

The constant through it all was Yuki Tsunoda and AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost admits he’s got huge potential but has plenty still to work on.

Tsunoda already has 65 Grand Prix under his belt and his seat has been confirmed for 2024.

Only Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly have raced more times for AlphaTauri/Toro Rosso since they entered F1 in 2006 as the latest iteration of Minardi.

No driver has ever reached 100 races for the team as either they’re promoted to the main Red Bull team or moved aside for a new young driver.

The 23-year-old needs to prove himself sooner rather than later to secure his long-term Formula 1 future.

AlphaTauri boss Tost says Tsunoda needs to work harder

Speaking about the Japanese driver, Tost said: “Yuki is from the natural speed really a top driver I must say.

“But he has to become even more disciplined and must work a little bit harder. He takes it a little bit too easy in all the areas.

“From the technical side, nutritional a little bit, physical training a little bit, although he is getting better and better everywhere.

“But to become a top driver, he must put in more effort in everything.”

Tost will be moving on from AlphaTauri in the winter leaving Tsunoda and Ricciardo to lead the team under new management in 2024.

The team will have a new name by then and are likely to be working more closely with the sister Red Bull team.

That should theoretically benefit Tsunoda and Ricciardo, with the former never given the chance to drive a top car during his three seasons in Formula 1.

Niko Hulkenberg has the record for most races in F1 without a podium, standing at 202 starts ahead of the race in Abu Dhabi.

Tsunoda is a long way off that number, but if he doesn’t finish in the top three at any point next season he’ll be sitting comfortably in the top ten.

It’s not a record he’ll want but the exceptional pace he’s shown in flashes hasn’t convinced a better team to look at him just yet.