Yuki Tsunoda’s future in Formula 1 is under scrutiny as rumors swirl about a possible move to another top team for the 2026 season, fueled by Alpine’s apparent interest. Despite being part of the Red Bull driver lineup since his debut, Tsunoda’s position within the team remains uncertain following a challenging year marked by limited points and strong competition.
Discussion Around Yuki Tsunoda’s Potential Move to Alpine
The 25-year-old driver has been with Red Bull-affiliated teams throughout his F1 career, stepping up to the main Red Bull team during this year’s Japanese Grand Prix. However, he has managed to earn only seven points so far, raising questions about his long-term prospects. Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has suggested Tsunoda could be a suitable candidate to replace Alpine’s Franco Colapinto if the team decides to make changes.
Montoya weighed in on the current Alpine situation, stating,
“That’s the million-dollar question. Franco Colapinto has got it tough at the moment,”
—Juan Pablo Montoya, former F1 driver. He added analysis on Colapinto’s performance, explaining that while Colapinto showed speed and potential, mistakes have hampered his progress and Alpine’s results. Montoya also compared Colapinto to Jack Doohan, questioning Alpine’s future plans:
“The question is, do Alpine want to keep him? And if not, who do you bring? Is it better to get rid of Colapinto and bring a guy like Yuki?”
—Juan Pablo Montoya, former F1 driver.
Challenges Facing Franco Colapinto and Alpine’s Team Performance
Franco Colapinto has struggled to find his footing throughout the 2025 season. At present, he is the only driver on the grid who has yet to score points, sitting near the bottom alongside the competitor he replaced, Jack Doohan. His errors have contributed to Alpine’s position at the lowest tier of the constructors‘ standings. Compounding these difficulties, Colapinto also lost valuable testing time after a crash during the 2026 Pirelli tyre evaluation over the summer break, further limiting his opportunities to improve.
Yuki Tsunoda’s Position Within Red Bull
Tsunoda also faces pressure within Red Bull, lagging behind emerging talents Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson in the current standings. This reflects how the Japanese driver has struggled to match the pace and results expected of a driver within Red Bull’s main team. Nevertheless, interest in Tsunoda has not faded, with some teams recalling his earlier strong performances, which could lead to a transfer opportunity in 2026.
Implications and What to Expect Moving Forward
The potential reshuffling of drivers could significantly impact team dynamics and competitiveness in the coming season. If Alpine decides to replace Colapinto with Tsunoda, it would mark a notable shift and provide the Japanese driver with a fresh chance to revitalize his career outside the Red Bull environment. Meanwhile, Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull remains uncertain, especially as the team continues to develop its roster amid competitive pressures.
