Tsunoda, 22, made his F1 debut with AlphaTauri in 2021, and was broadly anticipated to be retained by the group for a 3rd season heading into subsequent yr.
The Japanese driver mentioned on the finish of final month that his future was dependent on “things in the background”, however any doubt over his seat with AlphaTauri was eliminated on Thursday when the group confirmed he could be staying put for 2023.
“I need to say an enormous thanks to Pink Bull, Honda and Scuderia AlphaTauri for persevering with to present me the chance to drive in F1,” mentioned Tsunoda in a press release.
“Having moved to Italy final yr, to be nearer to the manufacturing unit, I actually really feel a part of the group and am glad that I get to hold on racing with them in 2023.
“After all, our 2022 season isn’t over but and we’re nonetheless pushing onerous within the midfield battle, so I’m absolutely targeted on ending it on a excessive after which we are going to look ahead to subsequent yr.”
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri AT03
Photograph by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
Tsunoda has failed to attain any factors because the Spanish Grand Prix again in Might as AlphaTauri finds itself struggling to compete with the main midfield groups frequently.
Workforce principal Franz Tost felt Tsunoda’s current shows have been “clear proof of a steep studying curve, which proves he deserves a seat in F1”, and {that a} third season could be key to his growth.
“As I all the time say, a driver wants at the very least three years to completely become familiar with Formulation 1, so I’m happy he’s been given the time to indicate his full potential,” mentioned Tost.
“As well as, it’s a testomony to Dr. Marko and his driver programme that we’re capable of carry these younger abilities up from the junior classes and develop them.
“I’d like to hitch Yuki in thanking Pink Bull and AlphaTauri, in addition to Honda, for his or her steady assist and for permitting him to stick with us for an additional yr.”
The announcement means AlphaTauri at the moment has an entire line-up for 2023 after revealing again in June that Pierre Gasly could be staying in Faenza.
However with Gasly attracting curiosity from Alpine as a alternative for Fernando Alonso, Pink Bull is understood to be exploring choices for the second seat at AlphaTauri subsequent yr.
Pink Bull advisor Helmut Marko met with 2019 Formulation 2 champion Nyck de Vries in Austria final week to debate a attainable drive for 2023, having given up on trying to sign IndyCar race winner Colton Herta as he couldn’t receive a superlicence.
Pink Bull has made clear it is going to solely launch Gasly to Alpine if it has one other driver in place to take the seat alongside Tsunoda.
