Tsunoda is set for his third F1 season with the Italian team after learning the ropes alongside Pierre Gasly.
With the Frenchman leaving for Alpine, Tsunoda will be joined by Nyck de Vries, who has an impressive CV in Formula E, Formula 2 and sportscars, but is an F1 rookie.
While Tsunoda has been with the team for two years, Red Bull driver mentor Helmut Marko still believes the experience of 27-year-old De Vries, which also includes testing and simulator work for Mercedes, will make him the natural leader of the team.
“Yuki is young and doesn’t have that experience and background, so [Nyck] should lead the team,” Marko said when De Vries was announced as Gasly’s replacement.
“We’ll see how it goes next year, but based on the experience and personality he has, he should be the team leader.”
Yuki Tsunoda, Alpha Tauri AT03
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Tsunoda felt that he would also be given more responsibility as AlphaTauri’s longest-serving pilot and rejected that De Vries would automatically take on a leading role, pointing out that whoever is the fastest pilot will end up by supporting the team.
“Well, the fastest guy is going to lead the team anyway,” Tsunoda said when asked about his position at AlphaTauri with De Vries joining.
“So I don’t care, team leader or not, I’m just focused on my job, lots to learn and improve.
“Obviously I’m even more responsible than this year, because Pierre is going to leave. But I still have strong confidence in myself to achieve it. I’ll come back stronger.”
Tsunoda’s confidence stems from a stronger end to 2022 as he closed the season with a point in Abu Dhabi after a tough year for AlphaTauri, who slipped to ninth place behind Haas.
“I think overall for this season I have always improved well in every race, and I’m quite happy with the form I’ve found this year,” explained the 22-year-old Japanese.
“Obviously I still need a lot of improvement, especially consistency, but at least I’m clear on the target for next year.
“A big thank you also to Pierre. In the last two years, without him, I could not have made so much progress and I have learned a lot thanks to him. I will miss him, but it was a pleasure to work with him. “
