Tsunoda doesn't put in the work? His former boss thinks this is why he struggles

18:42, 09 Sep

Updated: 20:49, 09 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Yuki Tsunoda's form has been inconsistent ever since he was promoted to Red Bull Racing, his former team boss at the Austrians' sister team, Franz Tost, believes the issue lies not on his talent, or lack therefo, but elsewhere.

Since the Japanese Grand Prix Tsunoda has been unable to come to terms with the complicated RB21, failing to match or even come close to what Max Verstappen can extract from the Red Bull drive.

Tost oversaw Tsunoda's entry into Formula 1 in his tenure as team principal of AlphaTauri, so he knows the Japanese talent well, having led Tsunoda for three seasons

Tsunoda doesn't work hard enough in F1

In statements spoken to ServusTV, the Austrian states Verstappen's current teammate is indeed fast, which in Tost's view may be the root cause of the issue.

"Yuki is very good in terms of speed, but maybe that's the problem," Tost said. "He has always impressed with very good performances in the lower classes, both in Formula 3 and Formula 2. It all fell into his lap."

However, the former F1 boss believes talent alone is not enough to support a longevous career at the pinnacle of motorsport. According to Tost, Tsunoda lacks the necessary dedication to make his mark at Red Bull next to Verstappen.

"I've always told him: Yuki, you have to work in Formula 1," he continued. "If I drive five tenths to one second slower than my teammate, then I stay in the paddock day and night or study the data until I know why I'm slower."

"And you still have to take Yuki there. He is talented, but unfortunately he is not zealous enough, not diligent enough to compensate for this shortcomings," Tost concluded.

Tsunoda currently finds himself in P19 in the Drivers' standings, where as his teammate, Verstappen, sits P3 with nearly as 20 times more points than his Japanese counterpart.