Yuki Tsunoda's F1 Future: Red Bull Return Unlikely, But Team Boss Backs Comeback

Yuki Tsunoda's promotion to Red Bull Racing for the 2025 season proved short-lived, with the team demoting him to a reserve role after just one year. Despite this setback, Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has publicly backed the Japanese driver, stating he has "shown significant speed" and deserves "another opportunity" on the Formula 1 grid, though likely not with the senior Red Bull squad.

Why it matters:

Tsunoda's situation highlights the intense pressure and narrow windows for success at the top of Formula 1. His demotion after a single season at Red Bull underscores the team's relentless performance demands, while Mekies' support signals that Tsunoda's talent is still recognized within the paddock. For drivers on the Red Bull path, it's a stark reminder that a promotion is only the beginning of a much tougher challenge.

The details:

• Tsunoda managed 30 points across 22 Grand Prix weekends in the 2025 Red Bull, a car he described as difficult. The team replaced him with junior driver Isack Hadjar for the 2026 season.
• In his current role, Tsunoda is heavily involved in developing the new RB22, leveraging his unique experience with both the Red Bull and Racing Bulls cars in the simulator.
• Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Tsunoda's work ethic and contribution behind the scenes but emphasized that "racing drivers are meant to race."
• Mekies acknowledged past struggles with the performance of Red Bull's second car, implying the environment was challenging for any driver not in the lead seat.
• Meanwhile, his replacement, Isack Hadjar, has made a strong initial impression. The Frenchman qualified third in Melbourne and has shown promising pace, benefiting from an intense off-season integration program that included relocating to be closer to the factory.

What's next:

Tsunoda's immediate future remains as Red Bull's reserve and simulator driver, a valuable but unfulfilling role for a racer. Mekies' comments serve as a public endorsement that could help Tsunoda attract interest from other teams on the grid for the 2027 season. His fate now depends on a midfield team being convinced by his Red Bull experience and raw speed, outweighing the modest points haul from his sole season at the top. For Hadjar, the focus is on converting his early speed into consistent points and managing the inevitable ups and downs of a rookie season with the championship leaders.