Yuki Tsunoda has to aim for points at every Formula 1 race in 2023, according to his straight-talking AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost.
AlphaTauri presented its 2023 livery, and renders of its AT04, during a launch event in New York on Saturday.
Tsunoda is entering his third year in Formula 1 with AlphaTauri and is now the most experienced part of its driver line-up following the departure of Pierre Gasly.
AlphaTauri struggles for overall performance in 2022, compounding the prospects of Tsunoda, who scored only 12 points, achieved across four of the 22 grands prix.
“Last year, Yuki struggled with the car,” said Tost.
“This year, as I expect we will have quite a competitive car, Yuki must always aim to be in Qualifying 3 and finish the races in the points.
“He is a very highly-skilled driver and now has a lot of experience with two seasons in Formula 1. For this reason, of course, he has to score many more points than he did last year.”
Tsunoda reiterated that he initially “underestimated” Formula 1 during his rookie season in 2021 and asserted that he is “at a completely different level now” as he seeks to build on his 2022 efforts.
“My main goal is to perform more consistently in every race, independently from the car’s performance, and to score points more reliably,” said Tsunoda.
“I want to be more in control of myself at all times, work well with the team, understand the car as quickly as possible, right from the first race in Bahrain.
“I want this year to be my best performance of the three years in terms of getting to Q3 and scoring points.”
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