AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda heads into F1's first Sprint race weekend of the season feeling "much more confident" thanks to his experience of the format and to the event taking place on his team's home track.
Last year, Formula 1 successfully trialed the Sprint race concept at three venues. And this season, Imola, the Red Bull Ring and interlagos will host a Saturday afternoon 30-minute race.
"This is going to be an interesting weekend at what is a home track for us, and we will also have the Sprint format for the first time this season," commented Tsunoda ahaed of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
"Last year, I was worried about the Sprint Qualifying with only having one practice session before Q-qualifying, but this season I feel much more confident, also because Imola is a track I know well as I have driven a lot of laps there.
"Also, I now know how to approach the Sprint weekends and hopefully it will end in points for us."
©AlphaTauri
Although he's Japanese, Tsunoda says this weekend's round of racing in Italy will feel like a genuine home race, and one where he will feel very comfortable.
"I think I am well prepared with the driving I have done there in the past and the simulator session I did last week," he said.
"I’ve been living in Italy for a while now, so this will definitely feel like a home race, especially as I can stay in my own house every night, which is close to the track and nicer than being in a hotel.
"It will be a bit strange, but I think it will be a more comfortable arrangement allowing me to concentrate on the race."
The 21-year-old charger heads to Imola on the back of a difficult Australian Grand Prix weekend which he concluded a lowly P15. AlphaTauri has taken stock of its trip to Melbourne and Tsunoda is confident that the areas of weakness encountered at Albert Park have been dealt with for Imola.
"It was a tough weekend and we struggled more than expected, particularly on the long runs," he said.
"From my side, I was quite happy with how I progressed over the week, given that it was a new track for me.
"Right from FP1, I felt confident but in the race me and the team struggled a lot. We already knew the areas we needed to improve so we have been working hard to be better in time for Imola."
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