Yuki Tsunoda's 2022 Formula 1 season saw the young Japanese driver navigate the complexities of his sophomore year with Scuderia AlphaTauri, grappling with both the demands of the new ground-effect regulations and a car that struggled for consistent performance.
Going in
Entering his second season, Tsunoda was expected to build upon his rookie year, which had shown glimpses of potential alongside a tendency for incidents. The 2022 regulations, introducing tunnel-floor ground-effect aerodynamics and 18-inch wheels, presented a reset for all teams. AlphaTauri, as a midfield contender, aimed to leverage these changes, but the AT03 proved to be a more difficult package to extract performance from compared to its predecessor. Tsunoda's teammate, Pierre Gasly, was a proven points scorer and a strong benchmark, setting a high bar for the younger driver to measure against.
How it played out
The AT03's performance trajectory was challenging throughout the season. While it occasionally showed pace, particularly in the hands of Gasly, it frequently struggled with tire degradation and overall competitiveness, especially against the dominant Red Bull and Ferrari, and a resurgent Mercedes. Tsunoda's season was a mixed bag of promising moments and frustrating setbacks. He secured his best result of the year early on with a P7 finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, demonstrating strong race craft in challenging conditions. However, consistency remained an issue. He frequently found himself battling in the lower midfield, often missing out on points. The teammate head-to-head saw Gasly generally outperforming Tsunoda, particularly in qualifying, where Gasly often extracted more from the car. While Tsunoda did show improved race pace at times, a series of penalties for track limits and unsafe releases, notably at the Dutch Grand Prix, highlighted areas for refinement.
Defining moments
The Imola Grand Prix stood out as a highlight, where Tsunoda navigated a chaotic race to secure a valuable P7, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on opportunities. Conversely, the mid-season period, particularly from the British Grand Prix through to the summer break, proved difficult, marked by a string of non-points finishes and incidents. His retirement from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to rear wing damage, and the subsequent penalty for an unsafe release at the Dutch Grand Prix, underscored the fine margins and pressures he faced. These moments, while not always leading to points, were crucial learning experiences in adapting to the demands of Formula 1.
What it meant
By the end of 2022, Tsunoda finished 17th in the Drivers' Championship with 12 points, behind Gasly's 23 points. While the raw statistics might not fully reflect his efforts, the season was a crucial period of development. He demonstrated resilience and an ability to learn, securing his seat for the following year. The experience of driving an uncompetitive car, much like Fernando Alonso — 2014 season or Fernando Alonso — 2015 season with McLaren-Honda, tested his resolve and forced him to extract every ounce of performance. It was a season that highlighted areas for growth, particularly in penalty avoidance and maximizing qualifying performance, setting the stage for a more mature approach in subsequent years. The struggles of the AT03 meant that Tsunoda, like Fernando Alonso — 2016 season in a similar situation, often had to fight for minor points rather than podiums, shaping his understanding of racing in the competitive midfield.
