Tom Clarkson singles out person for credit after upturn in Yuki Tsunoda’s form this year

Follow us on Google Discover

Journalist Tom Clarkson has said that Yuki Tsunoda’s trainer Michael Italiano deserves credit for his improved form this season.

Speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast, Clarkson and Natalie Pinkham were discussing the Japanese driver.

It was ultimately a disappointing weekend for Yuki Tsunoda at the last race in Barcelona.

He had driven his AlphaTauri car into the points and looked set to record his best finish of the season.

However, he was deemed to have pushed Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu off the track at the first chicane.

It appeared to be a very harsh decision, but he was given a five-second penalty and dropped down to 12^th.

Despite this, Tsunoda’s upturn in form in a poor AlphaTauri car has not gone unnoticed.

Clarkson suggested Tsunoda’s been the most improved driver on the grid this season, and wanted to give trainer Michael Italiano credit.

Italiano is no stranger to the F1 grid, having previously worked with Daniel Ricciardo.

He also featured in the Netflix series Drive to Survive alongside the Australian driver.

Clarkson hails Italiano for Tsunoda’s form

Speaking about the Japanese driver’s recent performances, Clarkson said: “Can we give a shoutout to Michael Italiano who used to be Daniel Ricciardo’s trainer and is now working with Yuki [Tsunoda]?

“I think he has to take some credit for that transformation. I know they’ve formed a very strong bond straight away.

“They’re not just trainers and coaches, so much of it is mental and the drivers and their trainers spend more time together than with anyone else. So, I think he needs to take some credit.”

Tsunoda has scored all of AlphaTauri’s points this season, although that comes to a grand total of two.

He finished all of the first five races either 10^th or 11^th and is unlucky not to have more points.

Tsunoda is streets ahead of Nyck de Vries right now who won’t have long to prove he’s worthy of a full-time F1 seat.

Tsunoda’s work with Italiano has impressed Clarkson and hasn’t gone unnoticed on the grid either.

Some engineers have also been impressed by his improvement this season and being in the best shape possible could be contributing to his success.