Yuki Tsunoda pointed out that Red Bull F1 motorsport advisor Helmut Marko was an important person in his F1 career. He also said he was very much looking forward to his home race in Japan.
Asked by Helmut Marco about being affectionately referred to as ‘Yuki, our little Japanese’ on a regular basis, Yuki Tsunoda said, “I see him not only as a boss, but as a friend and mentor. I think,” he told Motorsport-Total.
“50% off the track, 50% racing.”
Yuki Tsunoda says he has been indebted to Helmut Marko since his junior days.
“That’s why I’m a Formula 1 driver now. Without him, I wouldn’t be a Formula 1 driver.”
F1 heads to Singapore this weekend before returning to the Suzuka circuit in Japan. Both Grand Prix will be held for the first time in three years due to the influence of the new coronavirus.
Yuki Tsunoda says he doesn’t expect a big reception, but is very much looking forward to it.
“Honestly, I think I’m more famous in Italy than in Japan. F1 is great in Japan. It’s true. But not as great as when Ayrton Senna was still driving.” Yuki Tsunoda speaks.
Yuki Tsunoda explained that this was mainly because for a long time there were no Japanese F1 drivers and Japanese manufacturers had lost interest. But he wants to do something to get more Japanese fans interested in F1.
Yuki Tsunoda says he doesn’t know much about F1’s popularity in Japan because he hasn’t been there in a long time and it’s hard to judge how popular the sport is in Japan at this point. . In fact, Yuki Tsunoda has only been in Japan for about three weeks since becoming an F1 driver, and he was forced into quarantine when he finally returned home.
“I’m looking forward to Japan. I heard the tickets sold out early. That’s great. I can’t wait to race in front of the Japanese fans!”
Category: F1 / Hiroki Tsunoda / red bull / F1 Japan GP / Alpha Tauri