Montoya: Tsunoda Already Forgotten in Ruthless F1 Market

Juan Pablo Montoya has delivered a harsh assessment of Yuki Tsunoda’s current standing in Formula 1, stating that the Japanese driver is effectively "off the radar" just weeks after being demoted. The former McLaren champion highlighted the sport's ruthless nature, noting how quickly the spotlight shifts away from drivers who are no longer competing on race weekends.

Why it matters:

Montoya’s comments underscore the brutal reality of motorsport's top tier, where relevance is tied strictly to performance and seat security. For Tsunoda, who recently lost his full-time drive at Red Bull Racing to Isack Hadjar, this serves as a stark reminder that the paddock moves on rapidly, leaving little room for nostalgia once a driver is out of the cockpit.

The details:

• Forgotten Status: Montoya told AS Colombia that despite the season ending just over a month ago, people have already stopped thinking about Tsunoda.
• Hero to Zero: The seven-time race winner emphasized the volatility of the sport, stating, "There are those who are heroes one day and zeroes the next. When you’re a hero, you have to take advantage of it."
• Tsunoda's 2025 Struggles: Tsunoda stepped into the Red Bull seat early in the 2025 season, replacing Liam Lawson after just two races. However, he failed to meet the team's expectations, leading to his replacement by Hadjar for the upcoming 2026 season.

What's next:

Despite the bleak outlook from outsiders, Tsunoda remains committed to his new role within the Milton Keynes squad. The 25-year-old has vowed to seize the opportunity to grow as a reserve driver, hoping that a strong performance in this supporting role could pave the way for a swift return to the grid.