As part of the revision of the rules of the Grand Prix, which includes the transition to cars with the effect of primer, Pirelli is also moving to tires of different sizes.
He abandoned the previous 13-inch to 18-inch tires, which are believed to be much closer to what is relevant to cars traveling on the road.
The F2 moved to 18 inches back in 2020 when Yuki Tsunoda conducted an impressive campaign of newcomers, and the Japanese believe that what he learned that year could serve him as a good force for further challenges.
Having driven an F1 2022 in a simulator and taken part in last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tests, Tsunoda believes the experience of the new tires is similar to the one he encountered in the F2.
“The car usually feels much sharper, with sharper movements and over a long period of time, the big wheels give you a completely different feel than on old 13-inch tires,” he explained.
“I’ve felt this feeling before because when I raced in Formula 2, we made the same 18-inch transition and I felt the same difference there. It was like a similar move.
“So I think I can use the experience I got in Formula 2. But not only are the tires changing this year, the new car means there are a lot of changes in 2022 that need to be learned and adapted.”
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
Photo: AlphaTauri
Tsunoda is coming out of the rookie rookie season in Formula One, where his impressive debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix was accompanied by a series of incidents and accidents that shattered his confidence.
But turning the situation around in the middle of the year, he finished the campaign with the best in his career fourth place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
This result has made him optimistic about the upcoming season, although he thinks he will be under even more pressure.
“I’m looking forward to racing again,” he said. “I feel I understand much better what I need to do than a year ago.
“I know how to prepare to perform well. I know what my weaknesses are, I have all my experience last year that I can use and I’ve worked hard to be prepared.
“Last year, when something unexpected or unusual happened, I couldn’t adapt fast enough to handle the situation, so I struggled in many races.
“I finished last year well, finishing fourth in Abu Dhabi, so I want to move that momentum into this new season. I feel more pressured to perform now than last year, but it’s good pressure that is the motivation for me when I train ”.