Formula 1: The worst-kept secret was finally sort of revealed

Daniil Kvyat has all but confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda is set to replace him alongside Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Formula 2 driver and Red Bull junior driver Yuki Tsunoda has long been tipped to sign with AlphaTauri, the Red Bull sister team, for the 2021 Formula 1 season, as the replacement for Daniil Kvyat alongside Pierre Gasly.

Gasly was confirmed by the team through next year following his shocking maiden victory in the Italian Grand Prix in September.

Tsunoda is a Honda driver who finished the 2020 Formula 2 season in third place in the driver standings with three victories and an additional four podium finishes in 24 races.

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He competed for Carlin as a rookie in 2019 after competing in Formula 3 for Jenzer Motorsport as a rookie last year and finishing in ninth place in the driver standings with one win and two more podium finishes in 16 races.

It has practically been a foregone conclusion that the 20-year-old Japanese driver will be promoted to the highest level of the sport next year. Kvyat basically confirmed this after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit without actually giving away anything official.

Here is what he had to say after the race to Spanish TV station Movistar.

"“They told me they want Tsunoda. The atmosphere at AlphaTauri is very harsh. Now, I want a vacation. I would like to return in 2022…I don’t think I’ll be here next year.”"

He went on to add the following about what has been considered arguably the worst-kept secret in the paddock regarding silly season for next year’s driver lineup, according to GP Fans.

"“Honestly, I have been saying this for so long. I don’t think I will be in the car next year, I don’t think so, but the news takes a very long time to come out so I didn’t want to say anything official.”“Helmut [Marko] knows everything about the future so if you want to ask him it is always good but I always keep pushing. If I am not in F1 next year, the last three or four races, last three or four qualifyings are really strong so it’s all about laying good foundations also to come back in 2022 if I am not here next year.“I think me and my side of the garage understood the car better. When I get exactly what I want from the car I can go very fast also on Saturday so I think it was a good lesson to understand this. We really clicked in the second half of the year but also now in the last three or four races I have felt very happy with the car. It’s all a foundation for 2022. I want to come back and I know that I can fight for a championship in the right car. I have no doubt about it.”"

Helmut Marko himself has, in the past, indicated that this is all but a done deal.

With Tsunoda practically a lock to replace Kvyat, the only thing the Red Bull team need to worry about now is who will partner Max Verstappen at the top organization next year.

A report from Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz indicates that they are expected to confirm Sergio Perez as Alexander Albon’s replacement, with Albon moving to a reserve and test driver role with the team. The team are set to make their official decision within the coming week.

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The only other open seat on the grid for 2021 is at Mercedes alongside Valtteri Bottas, as Lewis Hamilton has not signed a contract extension. That is also expected to change in the near future.

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