Franz Tost knows virtually everything there is to know about Formula 1, having been involved in the sport for 25 years.
Initially part of Ralf Schumacher’s team when he joined Williams in 2000, Franz Tost went on to become team principal of the newly established Toro Rosso outfit – now Racing Bulls – when they first joined F1 in 2005.
Tost developed a reputation for nurturing young drivers and turning them into established stars in Formula 1.
The likes of Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda have all benefitted from his mentorship.
Tsunoda has waited a long time for his chance to race for Red Bull, and that opportunity has finally arrived at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Pierre Gasly has given Tsunoda some advice on how to deal with the pressure of racing for Red Bull.
Tost guided the Japanese driver through his junior career and admits he’s seen a change in the 24-year-old that suggests he’s finally ready to step up and race for Christian Horner’s team.
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Franz Tost spots ‘incredible’ change in Yuki Tsunoda ahead of Red Bull debut
Tost was asked on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast about his old driver Tsunoda and was detailing his rise through the ranks as a Red Bull junior, having moved to Europe from Japan at a young age.
He explained: “When he came to us, he was almost a child, if I can put it like that.
“And it takes time until a driver can prove himself in this hard-fought Formula 1, I would say, can get used to it, can establish himself, that doesn’t happen overnight.
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
78 |
| 2 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
57 |
| 3 |
Red Bull Racing |
36 |
| 4 |
Williams F1 Team |
17 |
| 5 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
17 |
| 6 |
Haas F1 Team |
14 |
| 7 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
10 |
| 8 |
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
6 |
| 9 |
Racing Bulls |
3 |
| 10 |
Alpine F1 Team |
0 |
“We all know that Yuki has had some crashes and retirements, yes, his stories over the radio also contributed to the fact that he is impatient and he sometimes can’t control himself.
“But that has improved a lot in the last few years. He has learned an incredible amount, and I think he now has the maturity to survive in such a top team, as Red Bull still is for me.”
READ MORE: Franz Tost believes Nico Hulkenberg ‘no longer’ belongs in F1 after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Franz Tost wanted Yuki Tsunoda to be promoted over Liam Lawson last season
Tost may no longer be the team principal of Red Bull’s sister team, but he’s still involved within the organisation as a consultant.
In his final race as AlphaTauri boss, Tsunoda secured the fastest lap at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and put in a stunning performance.
Tost wanted Red Bull to promote Tsunoda over Lawson during the winter break, however, his opinion didn’t carry enough weight to persuade those above him to make that change.
His experience within Formula 1 seemed to fall on deaf ears, and it would be interesting to know if Tost had a say in Red Bull making such an early switch after Lawson’s worrying performance in China.
Tsunoda was told he needed to work even harder by Tost before he stopped being his team principal if he wanted to become a top driver, and it appears as though he’s now taken that step forward ahead of his debut alongside Verstappen.
