Yuki Tsunoda Completes Red Bull TPC Test in Barcelona

Yuki Tsunoda returned to the cockpit of a Red Bull this week, completing a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) outing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya just days after Formula 1 raced at the same venue. Running two full race distances totaling at least 132 laps in the Spanish heat, the 26-year-old is staying sharp as he serves in a reserve capacity across both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.

Why it matters:

Tsunoda finds himself off the 2026 grid after Red Bull promoted Isack Hadjar to race alongside Max Verstappen. Because he is no longer eligible for mandatory rookie Free Practice sessions, TPC outings offer his best chance to maintain race readiness. Team Principal Laurent Mekies has already signaled his intention to bring Tsunoda back to a full-time drive in 2027, making these tests a critical investment in his future rather than a mere formality.

The details:

• Tsunoda covered at least 132 laps on Tuesday, the equivalent of two race distances, as he looks to stay "warm" in case a substitute call-up is required.
• The Barcelona session marked his first opportunity to drive more recent Red Bull machinery since shifting to a reserve role, following an earlier demo run in the 2012 RB8 in Istanbul during April.
• Beyond track time, Tsunoda supports both squads with extensive simulator work and strict physical training, though Mekies noted there is "nothing like driving the car" to keep senses calibrated.
• Fellow reserve Ayumu Iwasa handled the rookie FP1 duties in Barcelona, underscoring why the team arranged this separate TPC program specifically for Tsunoda.

What's next:

For the immediate future, Tsunoda will remain embedded at race weekends as reserve driver while continuing his simulator and fitness regimen. Still, the messaging from Red Bull suggests this phase is viewed as temporary. If an opportunity materializes for 2027, the team wants Tsunoda fully prepared, with Mekies openly stating his desire to see the Japanese racer back on the grid permanently.