Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver for AlphaTauri, has expressed his disappointment over the strategic decisions during the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, particularly with how the Safety Car period played out. Reflecting on the race, Tsunoda admitted that a different approach might have propelled him to a podium finish—or even to the top step, as he claimed, “I could have finished in P1.”
The São Paulo Grand Prix, held at the iconic Interlagos circuit, was a thrilling race filled with dramatic moments, strategic battles, and unexpected twists. Tsunoda, who had been running in a strong position throughout the race, was in contention for a potential podium finish. However, the intervention of a late-race Safety Car period, caused by a crash involving another driver, ultimately reshuffled the field and left Tsunoda frustrated with the outcome.
The Safety Car Controversy
The pivotal moment came when the Safety Car was deployed in the closing stages of the race. Tsunoda, who had been running in the points and was just outside the top five, was poised to take advantage of the restart. However, the timing of the Safety Car and the decisions made by his team left Tsunoda with little opportunity to challenge for a higher position.
Tsunoda’s team had opted to pit him during the Safety Car period, a decision that, while aimed at putting him on fresh tires, ended up costing him crucial track position. When the race resumed, Tsunoda found himself behind a number of drivers who had stayed out on older tires, leaving him unable to make up the lost ground.
“I feel like I had the pace to finish much higher,” Tsunoda explained. “I could have been P1. We made a decision to pit under the Safety Car, but it didn’t play out the way we expected. I lost a lot of positions, and by the time the race went green again, it was too late for me to recover.”
The What-Ifs of the São Paulo GP
While Tsunoda finished the race in a respectable position, the “what-ifs” lingered. The 2024 season has been a rollercoaster for Tsunoda and AlphaTauri, with occasional flashes of brilliance that highlighted his potential. However, moments like the one in São Paulo serve as a reminder of how fragile a race result can be, especially when external factors like Safety Cars come into play.
Had Tsunoda stayed out and not pitted during the Safety Car period, he would have maintained his track position and might have been in a stronger position to fight for the podium once the race resumed. With a mix of older and newer tire strategies in play, the final laps of the race could have been a chaotic but thrilling battle for the top spots. Instead, Tsunoda’s race was compromised by the unfortunate timing of his pit stop.
Moving Forward
Despite the regret over what could have been, Tsunoda remains focused on the positives and the lessons learned from the race. With several races still to go in the 2024 season, he will look to apply the knowledge gained from São Paulo to future races, avoiding the same strategic mistakes and taking advantage of every opportunity to maximize his results.
In the cutthroat world of Formula 1, where every decision is magnified, Tsunoda’s reflections after the São Paulo Grand Prix underline the fine line between victory and defeat. While he might have missed out on a podium finish this time, his determination to learn and improve bodes well for the rest of the season. As he put it, “There are always lessons to take away, and I’ll make sure we do better next time.”