Tsunoda Facing Uncertain 2026 — But Not Giving Up
As the 2025 Formula 1 season draws to a close, Yuki Tsunoda heads into the final weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix knowing that it’s his last scheduled race on the grid — at least for now. The leading authority at Red Bull Racing has just confirmed that Tsunoda will be removed from the main racing line-up for 2026; instead, he’ll assume the position of a reserve and test driver.
Despite this demotion, Tsunoda responded defiantly on social media: he insisted that this is not the end of his journey in F1. “I’m not finished yet,” he declared, acknowledging how tough the news was. But he made it clear he intends to work even harder from his new role — doing whatever it takes to earn a seat back on the grid.
The Road to Demotion: How It Happened
Tsunoda’s promotion to the senior Red Bull team came earlier in 2025. After just two races, the team concluded that Liam Lawson was not delivering as expected, prompting them to move him aside and give Tsunoda the long-awaited seat.
That switch was supposed to give Tsunoda a fresh shot — a chance to prove himself in the top-tier car alongside superstar driver Max Verstappen. However, over the course of the season, Tsunoda repeatedly struggled to impress, failing to outqualify Verstappen and rarely delivering strong results.
In evaluating his tenure, Red Bull decided that a different direction was needed. They opted to bring in their promising young talent Isack Hadjar — rising from the junior team Racing Bulls — to fill the senior seat starting next season. Meanwhile, another rookie, Arvid Lindblad, was confirmed to join Racing Bulls alongside Lawson, leaving no space for Tsunoda on the 2026 grid.
Reaction from Red Bull: Respect, Gratitude — and Hope for the Future
While the decision ends Tsunoda’s time as a regular driver for now, Red Bull’s leadership has not burned bridges. Laurent Mekies — who recently moved up from Racing Bulls to become Red Bull Racing’s principal — spoke warmly about Tsunoda’s contributions over the years. According to Mekies, Tsunoda has developed significantly: he has “matured into a complete racer,” capable of strong qualifying laps and demonstrating good racecraft.
The team expressed gratitude for Tsunoda’s years of service, calling him “a special part of the Red Bull family.” They also emphasized that while he won’t be driving next season, his expertise and experience will remain valuable in his new capacity.
Tsunoda’s Voice: Resilience in the Face of Setback
Tsunoda himself did not mince words when reacting to the demotion. He acknowledged the blow — admitting it was “incredibly tough” to learn he wouldn’t have a seat for 2026. Still, he used the moment to reaffirm his ambition. He said this setback would not deter him — instead he plans to double down on his commitment, working as a reserve and test driver to show he still belongs among the best.
His attitude drew support from other drivers who had experienced similar setbacks. Former racer Jack Doohan — himself known to have been demoted mid-season in the past — commented on Tsunoda’s post, telling him, “You’ll be back, brother.”
What Went Wrong — and Was Red Bull Right to Drop Him?
Some of the problems that ultimately led to Tsunoda’s demotion had been visible for a while. Despite flashes of raw speed, his performance lacked consistency — a fact underscored by multiple experts within the sport.
In the words of long-time Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko, Tsunoda possesses pace, but what he lacks is “continuity” and “stability.” There were races toward the end of 2024 in which Tsunoda showed promise (for example in Brazil and Las Vegas), but earlier in the year he had committed significant errors.
In 2025, those concerns resurfaced: under pressure, his performance in qualifying and races often dipped. Over time, it became obvious that though Tsunoda could deliver occasionally, his overall output wasn’t enough to meet Red Bull’s championship-level expectations.
From Red Bull’s perspective — a team that strives for championships, not just mid-field finishes — the decision was logical. As one opinion piece put it: yes, Tsunoda is worthy of being in F1, but not in a top-team context aiming for world titles.
So What Now — For Tsunoda and Red Bull?
For Tsunoda, the path forward will no longer be about fighting for points every weekend. Instead, he’ll pivot to working behind the scenes as a test and reserve driver in 2026 — still part of Red Bull’s setup, but not as a front-line contender.
That role could still offer opportunities. As a test/reserve driver he can:
refine his skills and adapt to future F1 regulations, stay within the Red Bull ecosystem — useful for potential call-ups, and demonstrate through diligence and commitment that he deserves another shot at a race seat.
Tsunoda seems aware of that, and his message suggests he believes he still has more to give.
Meanwhile, Red Bull moves forward with a youth-focused strategy: promoting talented rookies like Hadjar and Lindblad, who have shown promise and may better align with the team’s high standards.
The question now is whether Tsunoda can use the coming year out of the spotlight to rebuild — and whether his performance as reserve and test driver might one day earn him a return to the grid.
