As things evolve in Formula one, drivers enter the sport younger and younger. The likes of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel broke the record for the youngest ever world champion a decade ago. But nowadays Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc or Lando Norris have normalized post-teenage racing drivers in F1 paddocks. 

Considering Daniil Kvyat’s demotion, and also the backing of Honda, it came as no surprise Yuki Tsunoda was chosen to race for Alpha Tauri from 2021 onwards. The young Japanese made his debuts in F1 at the pre-season testing in Bahrain and got some solid runs around the Sakhir track. He came just 0.093 seconds off the quickest time of testing — set by Max Verstappen. 

The two hottest laps from #F1Testing 🔥

Jump onboard with @Max33Verstappen and @yukitsunoda07!#F1 pic.twitter.com/ckyouWgPXD

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2021

Tsunoda’s performance in testing made a strong impression on Helmut Marko, who is in charge of the young driver's development program for all the Red Bull-bound drivers. As a matter of fact, the Austrian has been instrumental in Tsunoda's rise through the ranks with the Red Bull junior academy, jumping from F4 to F1 in just three years.

"Our Yuki Tsunoda is 20 years old and has only been in this car for one-and-a-half days, but he has delivered a sensational performance," Marko said in an interview with RTL.

Despite praising the performance of his 20-years old protege, Marko has also acknowledged the importance of the car in these results and anticipated Alpha Tauri fighting at the front of the midfield against Renault, Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren, ahead of the upcoming season.

"Of course you can't do that without a car. But I guess AlphaTauri will be near the front midfield, which is very close. There is Renault, there is Ferrari, also Aston Martin.”

"I think McLaren is a notch ahead. We expect there to be a tough battle there. Depending on the track, one or the other will be in front. But again, Tsunoda was sensational."

When asked about his path in motorsports, Tsunoda recalled his feelings, with every track being new to him, when he came to Europe. He reflected on the need to adapt quickly to the practice - qualifying - race format. Ending third in the F2 championship last year, he stated how useful those learning years will be for him, as he will now have to make his way in the ivy league of motorsports.

"Two years ago, for the first time I came to Europe, in Formula 3, and most of the tracks I was on for the first time," Tsunoda said.

"There was only one free practice and you were straight in qualifying. You have to perform well in qualifying to get good points in every race.”

"In the beginning of the season in Formula 3, I struggled a bit to adapt to the tracks. But that hard situation makes it better for adapting well. Especially in Formula 2, that experience was really useful.”

"Those two years in Formula 2 and Formula 3, adapting to the car experience, is already useful for Formula 1, [and will be] especially in the beginning of the season."