Tsunoda aims to be Japan's all-time best in Fl

Since his Formula One debut in 2021, Visa Cash App RB's Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda has drawn attention with his aggressive driving style, impressive speed and candidness on team radio.

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Now in his fourth season, the grid's shortest driver at 1.61m is not short on ambition.

In an interview with The Straits Times at the team's hospitality suite on Sept 19, the 24-year-old expressed his aspiration to win a world championship and surpass Kamui Kobayashi to become the most successful Japanese driver in F1 history.

Tsunoda, who is the 18th Japanese driver to compete in F1, noted that Kobayashi has left his mark, most notably by finishing third for Sauber at the Japan Grand Prix in 2012, behind Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) and Felipe Massa (Ferrari).

"Obviously, I want to achieve what he has achieved and more," said Tsunoda. "But lots of things are different (in F1), I just want to focus on what I can control and what I can do." Tsunoda also acknowledged the legacy of past Japanese drivers, noting: "Each one paved the way for those who followed.