In the round-up: Yuki Tsunoda says Japanese drivers have to make a “late start” in single-seaters compared to their European counterparts.
In brief
Japanese drivers have “late start” – Tsunoda
Tsunoda believes the rules of the Japanese motorsport federation means young talented drivers in the country are disadvantaged compared to European drivers. The only Japanese driver in Formula 1 said there have been relatively few racers from his country in F1 due to the country’s laws.
“In Europe and Japan, there’s a bit of regulation difference in terms of like the age you can start single-seater,” Tsunoda explained. “In Japan, you can start from 16 years old, from [date of] birth, and I think in Europe, drivers can start from 14 years old.
“So there’s two years difference and that creates already kind of a late start. That’s why you have to go to Europe to race and to compete against the European drivers, so that probably makes it a little bit difficult.”
The language difference presents another barrier, said Tsunoda. “The Japanese don’t speak as much good English, like me. So it’s hard to communicate well and tell what you want specifically from the car set-up, for example. These things will take a little bit of time.”
Habsburg fractures vertebrae in test crash
Alpine hypercar driver Ferdinand Habsburg has suffered two fractured vertebrae in a crash during a test at the Aragon circuit.
A statement issued by the team confirmed their driver, who races the number 35 Alpine A424 with team mates Paul-Loup Chatin and Charles Milesi, suffered the injuries in a crash at turn seven last month.
“The cause of the accident is currently under investigation,” Alpine said. “Ferdinand was taken to the hospital in Alcaniz for examinations and was discharged in the evening.
“The next day, he was repatriated to Austria, where he underwent further examinations. Ferdinand suffers from two fractured lumbar vertebrae, with no neurological impact. He is beginning his recovery, the duration of which has not yet been defined. It will determine its participation in the next round of the FIA WEC at Imola.”
Gasly welcomes Alpine’s first upgrades
Pierre Gasly says he hopes that Alpine’s first upgrades of the season will be the “first step in the right direction” as the team look to move off the bottom of the constructors’ championship table.
“It’s nice to have this first upgrade on the car,” Gasly said. “It was planned already before the…
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