Yuki Tsunoda will stay in Method One with AlphaTauri for an additional yr, the Italian group has confirmed.

Tsunoda, who is part of the Pink Bull younger driver programme and backed by engine provider Honda, is at present in his second season at AlphaTauri. His future in F1 past the tip of the season had been questioned earlier this yr, however he has appeared locked on for a contract extension at AlphaTauri for a number of weeks.

“I need to say an enormous thanks to Pink Bull, Honda and Scuderia AlphaTauri for persevering with to offer me the chance to drive in F1,” Tsunoda mentioned. “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.

“In fact, our 2022 season is not over but and we’re nonetheless pushing exhausting within the midfield battle, so I am totally centered on ending it on a excessive after which we’ll stay up for subsequent yr.”

AlphaTauri group principal Franz Tost added: “As we have seen since he joined us final yr, Yuki is a really gifted driver and has improved rather a lot this season.

“The tempo he has proven not too long ago is obvious proof of a steep studying curve, which proves he deserves a seat in F1, and I nonetheless anticipate some robust outcomes from him within the final six races of 2022. As I all the time say, a driver wants not less than three years to completely become familiar with Method One, so I am happy he is been given the time to indicate his full potential.”

Earlier this yr, AlphaTauri introduced that Pierre Gasly would additionally stay on the group for an additional season, however he has since been linked with a transfer to Alpine. There was no point out of Gasly being Tsunoda’s teammate for 2023 within the newest announcement.

Initially Pink Bull hoped to signal American Colton Herta as Gasly’s alternative, however the IndyCar driver has not met the required factors threshold to acquire an F1 superlicence and is due to this fact unlikely to be eligible for a spot on the F1 grid.

Dutch media has not too long ago linked Nyck de Vries, who scored factors on his F1 debut with Williams earlier this month, to a transfer to AlphaTauri, which in flip might unencumber Gasly to modify to Alpine. Nevertheless, following his spectacular efficiency on the Italian Grand Prix, de Vries can also be within the body for drives at Alpine and Williams.