Tost wanted to give Tsunoda time: "Never doubted contract extension"

Tsunoda was particularly honest about his reaction to the news, admitting that he found his own performance inconsistent. However, Tost stressed that Red Bull Racing's sister team always intended to give the rookie more time. This is underlined by Tsunoda's move to Italy, set up by Helmut Marko.

AlphaTauri and Red Bull invested in Tsunoda

The team has invested heavily in the young driver by providing him with an intensive daily programme, filled with time in the factory, physical training and English lessons. According to Tost, therefore, there was never any doubt about his future for AlphaTauri. "For me personally not, because nowadays when you bring a rookie to Formula 1 you have to give him time," says the team boss in conversation with Motorsport.com.

"Formula 1 is very complex and difficult. Yuki has done pretty well so far. He was fast, he finished sixth in Budapest, and in his first race in Bahrain he finished ninth," continued Tost. "Of course he has had some crashes, but I always say that is a phase that is part of the learning process. How can someone find the limit if he's not allowed to crash?"