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Yuki Tsunoda will take part in his first Japanese Grand Prix - and is looking forward to familiar surroundings at Suzuka

Yuki Tsunoda says he has probably driven more than "10,000" laps of Suzuka as he prepares for a maiden Japanese Grand Prix.

Tsunoda debuted as a rookie in 2021, but for a second year, the race was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic - only due to return this weekend after a three-year hiatus.

The Japanese racer will become the first home driver to compete in the event since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014 - and believes his prior experience of racing at Honda's home track will prove invaluable in getting up to speed.

Tsunoda, who will be kept on for a third season at AlphaTauri in 2023, has endured a tricky second season with the team with its uncompetitive AT03 machine.

His best result of the campaign is a seventh at Imola - while he has not troubled the points scorers since 10th in May's Spanish Grand Prix.

Despite the poor run of form - which has left AlphaTauri ninth in the Constructors', Tsunoda is confident he can put on a solid performance at a track he knows well.

"I drove a Formula 4 car, I think it was four years ago," Tsunoda explained to media when asked about his time spent in the Suzuka Racing School.

" I was driving here and last time in Suzuka I won – so it’s good memories, definitely it’s a good way to be here at Suzuka.

"I was driving in 2m06s – 2m07s, so it’s like 40s difference [to F1 cars.]

"So it's a lot of difference, and even in the simulator I felt like a lot of things going on fast, much faster than when I used to drive.

"I've been driving here since from 2016, and I drove here more than 10,000 laps or whatever, so I’ve learned a lot of tricks – but at the same time, like it's a lot different when I drive an F1 car.

"So, I need a good build-up but still, I think [Suzuka is] one of the best tracks in my experience.

Tsunoda will try to emulate compatriots Kobayashi and Aguri Suzuki in claiming a podium in their home Grand Prix, but when asked if he remembers the former's iconic 2012 rostrum visit, he picks out another race.

"I think like the first time I watched probably [watched F1 at Suzuka] was the one when Seb[astian Vettel] got P1 in the championship with Red Bull [in 2011.]

"I think I was watching at the entry to Turn 1, I still remember the cars entering with lots of sparks.

"That was the first time I had watched Formula 1 since 2007 when I used to not like it because the engines were too loud - I was covering my ears!

"But when I watched when Seb got the championship, I got super impressed with Formula 1 and just how fast they are and then lots of things really surprised me.

"Unfortunately I was probably not at Suzuka when Kobayashi got P3."

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