Tsunoda undergoes 'mind reset' ahead of first trip to Monaco

©AlphaTauri

AlphaTauri rookie Yuki Tsunoda will undertake his first trip to Monaco with a "reset mind" after a difficult outing at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Tsunoda's frustrating weekend in Barcelona started with the Japanese driver's unexpected elimination from qualifying in Q1, a setback that led the 21-year-old rookie to question whether he was driving the same car as his teammate.

He later apologized to his team for the inappropriate inference, but race day delivered another disappointment when Tsunoda was left stranded on the side of the track by an electrical problem after just six laps.

"I’m looking forward to Monaco, particularly as Spain was a difficult weekend for me," Tsunoda said in AlphaTauri's Monaco Grand Prix preview.

"I was not happy with my driving in qualifying and made a mistake, but I must learn to accept that these things can happen and move on.

"I have only done four race weekends in F1 so far and now I am just resetting my mind. I am focusing on my driving and adapting as much as possible to the car."

Tsunoda will have his work cut out for him next weekend along the blue shores of the Mediterranean, having never raced around Monte Carlo's tight and twisty layout.

Read also: Verstappen determined to 'change' poor Monaco track record

But the AlphaTauri charger believes his experience of racing in the streets of Macau will come in handy in the Principality.

"I’ve never raced in Monaco in any category, but I have raced in Macau for example, so I have quite a bit of experience on street circuits," he explained.

"They’re okay. You need a very different approach on a street circuit like Monaco, especially considering I have never been there before.

"Track evolution is a big factor there, with very low grip at first and then it changes with every session."

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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.