Why Tsunoda feels ‘like a rookie’ for Racing Bulls return

Yuki Tsunoda is gearing up for his second consecutive outing as a substitute for Racing Bulls at the Italian Grand Prix. After a successful debut at Zandvoort where he finished P11, the Japanese driver feels better prepared this time around, having spent the week training and working in the simulator in anticipation of stepping in for the injured Isack Hadjar. Despite the improved preparation, Tsunoda acknowledges that Monza presents a unique and difficult challenge, particularly regarding energy deployment. He notes that while Zandvoort was manageable, Monza's high-speed nature and complex energy management systems make it a different beast. He admits that navigating these technical requirements during race conditions, where tactical battles with other cars are crucial, will be his biggest hurdle compared to his rookie-like experience in the Netherlands. Looking ahead to the weekend, Tsunoda remains optimistic and is aiming for a Q3 appearance and points on Sunday. He also expressed a personal desire to break his streak of bad luck at Monza, a circuit where he has suffered three DNFs and two non-starts in his career, hoping that this unexpected opportunity brings a change in his fortunes.