On the back of their podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda team began the French Grand Prix with relative success. Yuki Tsunoda ended the opening day in thirteenth, whereas home-boy Pierre Gasly impressed in seventh during blustery conditions.
Overall it was a good opening day for both drivers, Gasly who is racing in front of his home crowd for the first time since 2019 looked strong, ending the day eight-tenths of a second off the fastest time.
Rookie Yuki Tsunoda also had a solid opening day at the Circuit Paul Ricard, a circuit which he has actually raced at before! The Japanese driver ended the day in thirteenth, but only three-tenths of a second behind his team-mate.
The windy conditions did catch both drivers out, Tsunoda had a slow spin out of the final corner during the morning session and Gasly ran over the kerbs on the exit of turn two, damaging his floor slightly.
Nevertheless Chief Race Engineer Jonathan Eddolls is hoping that based on the team’s opening day performance, that they can challenge for a qualifying three spot on Saturday.