BEYOND THE GRID: Yuki Tsunoda on AlphaTauri, idolising Fernando Alonso, his relationship with Pierre Gasly and much more

On this week’s episode of Formula 1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Tom Clarkson is joined by Yuki Tsunoda, with the AlphaTauri driver opening up about his start to the season, swapping helmets with his idol Fernando Alonso, his relationship with Pierre Gasly, why he loves being famous and much more.

Tsunoda is the latest world championship hopeful to come from Japan’s conveyer belt of Formula 1 drivers, having gone from Japanese F4 to driving for AlphaTauri in four years, joining the Italian outfit at the start of the 2021 season.

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And Tsunoda gives us an insight into his relationship with his Team Principal, Franz Tost, revealing what he is like to work with, as he lifts the lid on what the Austrian said to him following his clash with team mate Gasly at Silverstone last year.

With Gasly now at Alpine, Tsunoda is now the lead driver at AlphaTauri and he reflects on their performance so far this year, his relationship with his new team mate Nyck De Vries, as well as why he prefers the vibe within the team this season.

He also explains how he is trying to improve each year, by becoming much calmer on the team radio this season, as well as becoming fitter than ever, thanks to the help of Michael Italiano – Daniel Ricciardo’s former trainer.

The Japanese racer also spoke to Clarkson about how he came to idolise Alonso, and what he learned from the Spaniard’s defence on Lewis Hamilton at the Hungaroring in 2021, and how that helped him defend from the seven-time world champion in Turkey later that year, as well as Kevin Magnussen earlier this season in Saudi Arabia.

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Lastly, Tsunoda explains to Clarkson why he “definitely” enjoys being famous, as it comes with certain perks, as well as what he tells people he does for a living.

To hear Tsunoda's Beyond The Grid interview, hit go in the player above, or head here to catch it on your preferred platform.