The Japanese Grand Prix was arguably the most interesting race of the 2024 Formula 1 season so far even if the result at the very front of the grid was as predictable as expected.
Another Red Bull Racing one-two finish has put them firmly in control of the Constructors’ Championship but there’s still plenty to play for behind them.
Speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast, commentator Alex Jacques hailed one of the drivers further down the grid.
There may be a tinge of disappointment in the McLaren garage after Lando Norris’s strong qualifying but his strategy limited his chance to achieve his second podium of the season.
They fared much better than Mercedes who continue to show they don’t fully understand what’s going on with their car.
However, both teams are faring better than the five teams that make up the second half of the grid.
If everything goes to plan for the front half of the paddock, then there shouldn’t be a point available to these ten drivers.
However, Lance Stroll’s struggles presented an opportunity at the Japanese Grand Prix and Alex Jacques wanted to praise the driver who won that battle – Yuki Tsunoda.
The Japanese driver scored his first point at his home race in Suzuka on his 70 outing in Formula 1.
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Alex Jacques praises Yuki Tsunoda during the Japanese Grand Prix
At the end of qualifying on Saturday in Japan, Tsunoda had once again put himself in the strongest position possible to add to RB’s points tally.
He only out-qualified teammate Daniel Ricciardo by five hundredths, but the Australian’s poor start to the race on Sunday ultimately ended his race after crashing into Alex Albon in an attempt to avoid the advancing Stroll.
Tsunoda also had a difficult start but recovered during the restart and was battling with Valtteri Bottas and Nico Hulkenberg for the final point.
It all came down to the last round of pit stops and with five cars entering the pit lane at the same time, it was the Japanese driver who emerged first and Jacques and his co-host Tom Kristensen have praised Tsunoda’s all-round performance as a result.
He’ll be keen to continue this momentum into the race in Shanghai.
With only one practice session before the first Sprint Race of the season, his current form should give him a slight advantage.
Alex Jacques and Tom Kristensen hail Visa Cash App RB star
Speaking about the 23-year-old, Jacques said: “He was absolutely fantastic! I mean any move in the Esses is special stuff, but that was a driver in his fourth year of Formula 1, confident and to borrow a phrase from cricket, he’s got the wood over his teammate at the moment.
“His teammate’s an eight-time Grand Prix winner, he’s not a slow guy that he’s putting in the shade in qualifying.
“And just oozing confidence and loving being part of [it]. There are three massive pictures of him on the main grandstand on the way in and this is a guy who won races here in Formula 4, goes over to Europe, has a season in Formula 3, gets promoted, Formula 2 a season there, wins races, does well, thrown into Formula 1.
“There were high expectations when he came in and he fell short of them. He stuck around, has dug deep and now he’s getting the reward and there were wonderful scenes at the end of the race.”
Kristensen added: “He’s a great shining light to Formula 1, he’s absolutely funny, but to see him go well here and getting what any driver needs, a bit of a pat on the shoulder and a lot of motivation, really impressive.”
Yuki Tsunoda’s future still uncertain despite brilliant start to 2024
Jacques and Kristensen’s praise of Tsunoda after the Japanese Grand Prix is fully justified and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, he’ll want to prove he deserves one of the 20 seats on the grid in 2025.
The most straightforward option for Tsunoda is to stay at RB for another season.
Liam Lawson will almost certainly be on the grid next year, so Laurent Mekies might have a tough call to make on whether to let Tsunoda or Ricciardo go.
Tsunoda’s connection with Honda also has to be considered.
They become Aston Martin’s power unit supplier in 2026 and former driver Giedo van der Garde believes there’s a ‘very good chance’ he could make this switch one day.
Ultimately, the more points Tsunoda scores and the more times he finishes ahead of his teammate, the better.
The post ‘Absolutely fantastic’: Alex Jacques loved 70-race driver’s display in Japan, he was ‘oozing confidence’ appeared first on F1 Oversteer.