Yuki Tsunoda was happy to take home two points for his Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda Team in the United States Grand Prix on Sunday, where the Japanese on his first visit to Circuit of the Americas.
Tsunoda made up two places on the first lap and finished eighth, but fell back Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team‘S Valtteri Bottas, he was able to maintain his position in the top ten relatively easily.
The Japanese racer was one of only two drivers to start the race on the soft tire after making it into Q3 on Saturday on that tire, and he used it well to keep him in a good position until the change the harder mixes for the last two stints.
“It was a good day, I managed to get some important points for the team in the championship, so I’m very happy with it,” said Tsunoda. “It was really tough out there because it was so hot!
“Starting on the soft tire wasn’t easy as I had a different strategy than everyone else around me, but it gave me the advantage on the first lap and I tried to make the most of it. The pace today was pretty good, so I’m happy with the points. “
“It’s very frustrating because we know every point counts” – Pierre Gasly
Teammate Pierre Gasly had to give up due to a problem with his rear suspension. The Frenchman ended his day after finishing in the top ten on the first few laps.
Gasly started eighth, dropped back to tenth on the first lap, but was able to overtake Bottas again and finished ninth, only to drop out of the points and retire, much to the Frenchman’s displeasure.
“Unfortunately we had a suspension problem today that forced us to give up the car,” said Gasly. “Right now we don’t know the real cause, so we have to go away and investigate.
“It’s very frustrating because we know that every point counts at this stage in our midfield fight. It would have been really good to go to the end of this race as the atmosphere this weekend was amazing from the start, so it’s a shame not to see the checkered flag. “
Pierre Gasly was in the top ten before retiring in Austin – Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images
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