Yuki Tsunoda will contest a full Formula 1 season for the first time in 2021 when he succeeds Daniil Kvyat at AlphaTauri - his team boss expects a tough start for the Japanese driver.

„The first year for a newcomer in Formula 1 will be very tough,” said Tost. „For example, you come to Melbourne having jet lag, a new race track and also, all day long media and marketing appointments. Also the technical side of the race car, this takes a while for a driver to get a handle these processes.“

To cut costs, pre-season testing has been shortened to three days, which means only 1.5 days in the car for Tsunoda as he has to share a car with new teammate Pierre Gasly.

However, from the European races onwards, Tost expects Tsunoda to get used to the car and the routines, and to be able to reach his potential and challenge Gasly on the tracks he is familiar with from this year’s Formula 2 season.