Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese Formula 1 driver, surprised fans recently by declaring that he will claim the championship in 2026 even though he currently has no race seat. Tsunoda lost his spot at the end of the 2025 season to Isack Hadjar and was reassigned as a reserve driver for Red Bull.
In addition to his reserve duties, Tsunoda has been participating in global showruns with Red Bull’s older F1 cars. Recently, he took part in an event in San Francisco, driving Sebastian Vettel’s 2011 RB7 along Marina Boulevard, drawing enthusiastic reactions from spectators.
Confidence Expressed During Red Bull Showrun in San Francisco
During the showrun, when asked about who would win the 2026 championship, Tsunoda confidently said,
“I’m gonna jump in mid-season, or maybe earlier as possible, and be champion.”
The crowd responded positively to this bold prediction, with the event host rallying fans by shouting,
“Tsunoda’s getting his seat back baby!”
Unexpected Incident Interrupts Tsunoda’s Demonstration
The excitement took a sudden turn when the RB7’s rear caught fire after Tsunoda performed some donuts. He quickly exited the car unharmed as marshals rushed to extinguish the flames. A Red Bull representative explained,
“Following an extended demo run, Yuki performed routine burnouts in the 2011 RB7. The exhaust system overheated, igniting the rear of the car. The fire was quickly extinguished by on-site marshals, and no one was injured.”
This was not the first time the RB7 experienced such an issue; a similar fire happened in 2014 during a showrun in Russia when Alex Lynn drove the car.
Implications for Tsunoda’s Career and F1 Landscape
Tsunoda’s declaration highlights the uncertainty and tension surrounding his career path after losing his race seat to a new competitor. As a reserve driver, his chances to race in the near future remain unclear, but his public confidence signals determination to return to full-time competitive action. Fans and the broader F1 community will be watching closely to see if Tsunoda can make a mid-season comeback and fulfill his ambitious claim of becoming the 2026 champion.
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