AlphaTauri confirms Tsunoda for Abu Dhabi young driver test

©AlphaTauri

Scuderia AlphaTauri has confirmed that Japanese charger Yuki Tsunoda will drive for the team at next week's post-season young driver test in Abu Dhabi.

Tsunoda, who finished third in this year's FIA Formula 2 Championship and won the Anthoine Hubert Award for 2020 FIA Formula 2 Best Rookie, is expected to step up to F1 next season and join Pierre Gasly at the Faenza-based squad.

Earlier this year, Tsunoda enjoyed his first taste of F1 when he completed a day of testing at Imola with AlphaTauri on board at 2018-spec car.

"Yuki showed at the test in Imola that he is a fast learner, able to easily get familiar with the car and was able to constantly improve every lap, so we decided to have him test with us at the Young Driver Test on the Wednesday after the race," said AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost.

"I’m convinced he will make a good step forward having a full day in the car, and this time he will be driving the AT01, so his feedback will be even more valuable for our engineers.

"It’s great to see that the Red Bull Driver Programme can prepare young drivers so well, and I have no doubts he will prove his talent once again."

Read also: Tsunoda says maiden F1 run 'physically harder' than expected

The 20-year-old Japanese young gun is looking forward to gaining more knowledge of F1 next week ahead of his likely promotion to a full-time seat for 2021.

"I am really looking forward to testing with Scuderia AlphaTauri," he said. "I enjoyed driving one of the team’s 2018 cars at Imola a few weeks back and I can’t wait to try the current car, taking part in an official test session with all the other cars on track.

"I really appreciate how everyone at Scuderia AlphaTauri has helped me to prepare for this session, and I also want to thank Red Bull and Dr. Marko for giving me this opportunity.

"During the session, my focus will be on following the team’s instructions and giving my feedback to the engineers. It will also be a chance for me to learn as much as possible and help my own personal development."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.