As the 2023 season inches closer to its conclusion, we’ve witnessed a year of transformation. While Max Verstappen ran away with all the accolades, there have been meaningful developments happening otherwise up and down the grid. Many would argue that Yuki Tsunoda has been the breakout star this year. Paired up against debutant Nyck de Vries, the young Japanese driver schooled the Dutchman out of F1. Now, as he aims to solidify his status in this sport, he has embarked on a journey to commemorate the institution that gave him his break in the first place.

Tsunoda is here on merits, there is absolutely no doubt about it. However, the path to F1 became a little bit easier for the young driver as he was backed by Honda. After propelling the Bulls to glory, the Milton-Keynes-based team really couldn’t say no to a fast and young Japanese driver being inducted into their F1 ranks.  And hence, at the behest of Honda, Tsunoda got his big shot in F1 with AlphaTauri.

Yuki Tsunoda aims to recapture historic win as Honda nears an iconic landmark

The 2023 Japanese Grand Prix couldn’t have been scheduled better. That is because tomorrow’s race day is the 75th anniversary of the Japanese motoring legend. That’s right! As Honda looks to celebrate an iconic landmark in their history, Tsunoda has paid homage to the institution of Honda with a promise.

During the buildup to the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda said, “September 24, the date of this year’s Japanese GP is the 75th anniversary of Honda’s founding. So, I made a helmet that pays homage to the RA272: Honda’s first victory in F1.”

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“I also want to do a race that will remain in everyone’s memories! I will do my best so that everyone will say, ‘I came, I saw, and I won!’”   

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Given that he’s at the wheel of an AlphaTauri, arguably the worst car on the grid, his promise may seem a bit far-fetched. But he’s given himself the best opportunity possible to fulfill it for his fans and Honda.

Tsunoda wows the fans as he defeats ‘the Samurai’ for glory at the Japanese GP

For how difficult the AT04 can be to drive, the young Japanese driver has done a phenomenal job in the Qualifying session for the race tomorrow. A testament to that is the fact that he made it to Q3. What’s more? He also out-qualified the self-professed Samurai and 2x champion, Fernando Alonso.

With Alonso starting right behind him in 10th, Tsunoda was ecstatic to put in such a performance for the home fans. He said, “It’s incredibly special to get through to Q3 at your home Grand Prix. It was the first time in front of the Japanese fans, and the amount of support I felt in my final runs was great. I’ve never felt that kind of support from spectators.”

Speaking of his chances tomorrow, he was optimistic. He was quoted as saying, “I’ll go out and enjoy tomorrow with all the fans. It will be tricky because tyre degradation seems to be a challenge here, but it’s the same for everyone, so let’s see what we can do. Liam and I are both starting in good positions, so hopefully, we’ll both be able to score points for the team.”

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Can Yuki Tsunoda make his home race and Honda’s 75th anniversary one to remember and pull off a blinder in tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix?