Yuki Tsunoda says the news of team boss Franz Tost leaving the helm of AlphaTauri at the end of the 2023 F1 season came out of the blue for the Japanese driver.
Red Bull's sister F1 outfit has opted to overhaul its management structure for next season, with Tost stepping down from his longstanding team principal role at Faenza and replaced by current Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies, while former FIA executive Peter Bayer will join the Italian outfit as its new CEO.
"It was really surprising news for me," admitted Tsunoda, who began his career in F1 under Tost's guidance in 2021.
"I had lunch with him like five days before that news, or something like that, and actually he didn’t mention about those things.
"So, a surprise… At the same time, there were rumours from the beginning of the season, and it actually came kind of true that he is stepping down.
"Still, there are 19 [sic] races to go to make him happy!
"Hopefully we can end the season in a positive way for him. To do that, obviously we need lots of development, but we have an aggressive plan to do it.
"I’m looking forward to it and at the same time feeling really kind of appreciative to him that he trusted my speed in the last three years and he was always supportive next to me.
"I’ll try to make it up for him in the next races."
©AlphaTauri
Tsunoda's AlphaTauri teammate Nyck de Vries, who was promoted to F1 this year, also paid tribute to Tost's longevity and to his achievements with Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri over his nearly two decades with the team.
"I’m very grateful to Franz for his role in giving me the opportunity here in Formula 1," said the Dutchman.
"I think we have a really good relationship. We all really appreciate all the work he has done over the past 18 years, it’s a long time.
"And he really lives for the team for his people and for the sport. He’s very passionate. And we all value that very much in Franz.
"But I guess after 18 years there is always a beginning and an end to everything and each time is defined in an era and maybe a new era is about to start."
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