After a challenging 2025 season with Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda has lost his full-time race seat for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The Japanese driver will remain with Red Bull as a reserve and test driver for both teams, which means he will be off the race grid at the moment while continuing to support development and testing.
Tsunoda first entered Formula 1 after an impressive junior career, including a third-place finish in the 2020 Formula 2 championship. His strong performances earned him a place in the Red Bull driver program and eventually a seat in Formula 1.
During the 2025 season, Tsunoda struggled to match the performance of his Racing Bulls teammate Max Verstappen, making his results appear less competitive in comparison. In addition, adjusting to the Red Bull car proved difficult, and the team ultimately chose a different driver lineup for 2026.
Although Tsunoda is no longer racing full-time, he remains part of the Red Bull organization and could return to the Formula 1 grid in the future. Concerning his Redbull demotion, Tsunonda states, “I’m not finished yet…Life’s full of setbacks, and this is mine. It’s not going to deter me from being the best F1 driver I can be.” Fans will be watching closely to see whether Tsunoda can make a comeback in the coming years. Good luck, Yuki Tsunoda!
