Red Bull boss believes Yuki Tsunoda will get another F1 chance

Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies has expressed confidence that Yuki Tsunoda, who was recently demoted to a reserve driver role for 2026, will find a way back onto the Formula 1 grid in the future. Mekies acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but highlighted Tsunoda's resilience and the unpredictable nature of F1 driver markets.

Why it matters:

Tsunoda's demotion after a challenging season alongside Max Verstappen represents a significant career setback, but a public vote of confidence from a senior Red Bull figure like Mekies keeps his future prospects alive. In the volatile world of F1, where driver fortunes can change rapidly, maintaining a connection with a top team as a reserve can be a crucial lifeline for a comeback.

The details:

• Mekies, who has worked closely with Tsunoda at both Red Bull and its sister team, described the decision to promote Isack Hadjar instead as "very difficult."
• He pointed to the specific challenge of the second Red Bull seat, calling it "not an easy one" due to the car's demanding characteristics.
• The team principal drew a parallel to late 2024, when Tsunoda was initially passed over for Liam Lawson but earned a promotion after just three races of the following season due to strong performance.
• Mekies emphasized that Tsunoda will remain integrated with the team as its reserve driver for 2026, a role that keeps him in the frame should a race seat become available.

What's next:

Tsunoda's immediate path is set as Red Bull's reserve driver, placing him first in line should a vacancy arise at either Red Bull Racing or Racing Bulls. History within the Red Bull program shows that such roles can lead to swift returns, as evidenced by Lawson's and Tsunoda's own past promotions. While his future as a full-time driver is on hold, Mekies's comments suggest the door within the Red Bull family is not permanently closed, leaving his F1 career in a state of managed suspension rather than termination.