Tsunoda continues F1 debut preparations with Misano test

The sound of a Formula 1 car can be heard reverberating around Misano on Wednesday, as Yuki Tsunoda gets more mileage in a 2019-spec car ahead of his debut with AlphaTauri this season…

The Japanese driver has embedded himself with his new Italian team in recent weeks, and got a run in a 2019 STR14 Toro Rosso – In the 2020 AlphaTauri livery – at Imola last week.

Wednesday’s run is his fourth appearance in Formula 1 machinery, with the STR14 once again in use at the Misano circuit, which is an hour’s drive from AlphaTauri’s headquarters at Faenza.

READ MORE: ANALYSIS - Why Red Bull promoted Tsunoda to Formula 1 – and what now for Kvyat?

Regulations restrict testing with current cars, but unlimited mileage is permitted with any machine that is two years old or more.

Tsunoda will be keen to get as much mileage as possible to get used to the team and the car’s systems ahead of his F1 debut in Bahrain, especially as there are only three days of pre-season testing this year – with each driver set to get just 12 hours apiece of running.

The Red Bull and Honda-backed Japanese driver, 20, replaces Daniil Kvyat alongside one-time race winner Pierre Gasly, who recently revealed he tested positive for Covid 19.

READ MORE: Tsunoda insists he’s ‘not afraid to make mistakes’ in rookie season – and explains race number choice