Yuki Tsunoda’s career with Red Bull Racing remains uncertain following his performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite achieving his best finish to date in sixth place, ongoing doubts about his future with the team persist, fueling speculation about his continuation in Formula 1.
The Japanese driver has struggled to make a decisive impact during his time at Red Bull, securing points in only five races and never reaching the podium. In Baku, Tsunoda demonstrated potential with his highest team finish so far, though he was hampered by traffic behind Liam Lawson that prevented a stronger result. Nevertheless, his status within Red Bull’s driver lineup has yet to be confirmed, with rumors suggesting he might even lose his place in Formula 1 altogether.
Possible Replacements and Red Bull’s Driver Prospects
Speculation has mounted around possible successors for Tsunoda, with reports from German media outlet AMuS naming Dutch Grand Prix podium finisher Isack Hadjar as a prime candidate. Additionally, Arvid Lindblad, a promising figure from the Formula 2 championship, has emerged as another contender to join Red Bull Racing next season.
Interestingly, Lindblad’s current squad, Campos Racing, recently confirmed the acquisition of Nikola Tsolov for 2026. This move has sparked theories that the Red Bull junior program’s structure might be shifting, either promoting Lindblad to Formula 1 or repositioning him within the feeder series. Despite all these developments, Red Bull remains silent on any final decisions regarding their 2026 driver lineup.
The Debate Over Tsunoda’s Place in Formula 1
The difficulty of Tsunoda’s situation became publicly apparent during the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, when he was asked by teammate Max Verstappen to join the victory celebrations in the team photo. According to journalist Ted Kravitz, Tsunoda declined, reportedly saying,
“No, I don’t, I can’t do it. I don’t deserve to be there.”
Ted Kravitz, F1 Journalist
However, in the more recent post-race moments in Baku, Tsunoda appeared prominently during the team photos, suggesting a potential shift in his standing within Red Bull. Speaking on his post-race analysis show, Kravitz addressed rumors about Tsunoda’s future, stating,
“That’s a very solid P6 for Yuki Tsunoda. Very good stuff. So happy to see him back in the points for Red Bull and hopefully this is what’s going to cement him staying in the Red Bull driver program.”
Ted Kravitz, F1 Journalist
“Yes, he’s probably going to go back down to Racing Bulls next year, but with more points positions like that, then he will be in very much that team…and hopefully he’ll be there because he’s doing a good job.”
Ted Kravitz, F1 Journalist
While moving down to a junior or feeder team is not typically seen as positive, for Tsunoda, it may represent the last viable opportunity to remain involved in Formula 1 and continue his development within the Red Bull ecosystem.
Implications and the Road Ahead
Tsunoda’s future remains a pivotal subject in the broader dynamics of Red Bull’s driver strategy. As the team evaluates emerging talents like Hadjar and Lindblad, the decision on whether to retain Tsunoda will hinge on his ability to consistently score points and demonstrate progress. For now, the possibility of a demotion suggests a complex balancing act between nurturing young prospects and maintaining competitive performance in Formula 1.
Further announcements are expected as the 2026 season approaches, which will clarify Red Bull’s final lineup and potentially reshape Tsunoda’s path in the sport. His recent performance in Azerbaijan is a crucial factor in these deliberations, emphasizing how slim the margin is between retention and release in the high-stakes environment of Formula 1 racing.
