Following a challenging stint at Red Bull in 2025, Yuki Tsunoda has made a surprise return to the Formula 1 grid for three races in 2026 with Racing Bulls. Tsunoda’s candid reflections offer insight into the pressures of top-level racing and reveal how recent struggles have fueled his ambitions to reclaim a full-time F1 seat.
Navigating a Difficult 2025 Season at Red Bull
Yuki Tsunoda’s 2025 season saw him elevated to the Red Bull factory team from the third race of the year. Despite his proven talent, Tsunoda found himself in a challenging environment, where he was primarily supporting Max Verstappen’s championship campaign. According to Tsunoda, his reluctance to alter his individual driving style was a key factor in his underwhelming performance. Only after comparing himself to the reigning champion did he attempt to emulate Verstappen’s setup preferences—an approach he now considers his biggest mistake of the year.
Tsunoda's efforts resulted in points finishes at only seven of the 21 Grands Prix. While Verstappen won five of the last eight races and finished second in the championship, Tsunoda’s best results in that period were sixth, seventh, and tenth places. Ultimately, this led to him losing his seat at Red Bull, replaced by Isack Hadjar who was promoted from Racing Bulls for 2026. Reflecting on the news, Tsunoda described feeling disappointment but no deep devastation, maintaining that he "gave everything" during the season and holds little regret despite the outcome.
A Surprise Comeback with Racing Bulls
Tsunoda’s path back to the grid opened unexpectedly due to an injury to Isack Hadjar. As Red Bull’s reserve driver in 2026, he was given a three-race opportunity with Racing Bulls. Despite driving a new generation of F1 cars with different characteristics than those he previously raced, Tsunoda adapted quickly.
His return was particularly notable at Zandvoort, where the Sprint format limited practice time. Despite the pressure—Racing Bulls were performing well and battling Alpine in the standings—Tsunoda kept his composure and finished eleventh, ahead of his teammate. In his next outing at Monza, he scored a valuable point with a tenth-place finish. Tsunoda described this achievement as "more special" than many of his previous results, likening the experience to the first points he scored with AlphaTauri early in his career.
Looking Forward: F1 Ambitions and Growth
While his short-term future remains uncertain, Tsunoda is clear about his priorities. He is focused solely on securing a full-time Formula 1 seat for 2027, declaring F1 as his primary goal. With few open spots for the coming season, he is determined to maximize every opportunity he receives and continue to show his value to teams.
Tsunoda also emphasizes how the challenges of 2025 contributed to his development both as a driver and person. The adaptation to new cars, the emotional resilience required after losing his Red Bull seat, and the satisfaction of recent strong performances have all reinforced his belief that adversity can lead to meaningful growth.
