Tsunoda gave it 100% but couldn't retain final point

©AlphaTauri

Yuki Tsunoda cast a frustrated figure after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, giving it his all to score a top-ten finish that alluded the AlphaTauri driver just four laps from the checkered flag.

Tsunoda started his race from P16 and made steady progress through the field to run as high as 6th before his switch from the medium to the hard tyre on lap 17.

Thereafter, the Japanese charger could do little to fend off the two Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly which set him back to 10th in the running order.

Tsunoda appeared solidly anchored to that position, but a late tussle with Haas' Kevin Magnussen concluded at the advantage of the Dane who thus snatched the final point from the AlphaTauri driver.

Read also: F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP

"I gave my 100% effort every lap, and still couldn’t [retain P10]," commented a disappointed Tsunoda after his race.

"Lost positions like that in the end in the last four laps, so I’m just really frustrated."

©AlphaTauri

Tsunoda said his car's lack of top-speed on the straights and downforce in certain fast corners had sealed his fate, even despite his efforts in Jeddah's first sector to try and eke out a gap that would allow him to remain ahead for the remainder of the lap. To no avail unfortunately.

"I think there’s frustration for all of us," he explained. "At least I gave every effort, and at least I was able to extract the performance from the car as much as possible, and fighting close to the points.

"So at least I gave excitement to the team. That’s really positive. Hopefully we can develop through the year and I can score points at some point as soon as possible."

©AlphaTauri

Overall, Tsunoda was somewhat positively surprised by his car's pace in Jeddah.

"Definitely we didn’t expect that pace," he said. "I expected much worse than that. So good job from also the engineers and mechanics. Just need a couple of tenths, at least, every lap.

"If I keep fighting like this, I think there’s at some point a big chance, more than this one. So if that happens, I’ve just got to maximise that opportunity.

"Until then, I just wait and extract from the car like this performance as much as possible."

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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.