(Motorsports news) The focus at AlphaTauri during the first 10 rounds of the season was skewed towards Yuki Tsunoda and full-time rookie Nyck de Vries and his difficulties adjusting to F1 after receiving criticism from Red Bull executives Christian Horner and Helmut Marko. After Silverstone, the FIA Formula 2 and Formula E champion was fired, and eight-time grand prix champion Ricciardo took his position. The Australian claimed that when he returned to Hungary, there was so much media attention that it “felt like I had just won a world championship.”

When questioned if Tsunoda felt as though he had slipped under the radar, Tsunoda responded that it was “challenging” because of this. Even if the ex-McLaren, Renault, and Red Bull driver’s return had increased the strain, he continued, the experience of competing against Ricciardo meant he was learning a lot. It’s tough, he remarked. I am aware that this current circumstance is entirely unfamiliar to me, but, at the same time.

“I’m learning a lot, especially when an experienced driver challenges me. In addition to having expertise, he is also a great driver, and we are aware of his speed. In Tsunoda’s opinion, Ricciardo behaved in a manner that was nearly “the opposite of me” in the team, but he was prepared to confront him in the second half of the season.

I already know he’s quick, but I also notice that he behaves in the team in a way that is perhaps contrary to mine, said Tsunoda. “Therefore, there are many things to learn from him. “There’s also a little pressure on me, and I think that’s why I rushed and made a few mistakes in the previous few races.

But in the last race [in Spa, 10th position], I was able to put it all together. It was challenging. However, I’m merely content and feeling prepared to challenge him in the second half of the season. Tsunoda thought his campaign had gotten off to a strong start because he consistently finished 10th or 11th in the first five rounds.

However, Zhou Guanyu’s off-track behavior cost him points in the Spanish Grand Prix, which caused him to finish ninth instead of ninth and disturbed his “rhythm”. The Japanese said, “I was able to progress because consistency was important, especially last year. The initial races made me pleased, and I understood why.

“I had a certain rhythm, and I was kind of in a comfort zone. After Barcelona, there were two races where I unluckily dropped the points. Since that time, my rhythm has been off. I am aware of how much room there is for improvement. “Spa was back to the same shape—or a shape very similar to the shape I had at the start of the season. So incredibly happy, and keep getting better.

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