Tsunoda Dismisses Pressure as Factor in Red Bull Seat Loss
After losing his Red Bull seat following a difficult 2025 season, Yuki Tsunoda claims mental and external pressure were not factors. He will move to a reserve driver role in 2026.
Yuki Tsunoda will step down from his Red Bull Racing seat in 2026 to become a reserve driver, ending a challenging season where he was replaced mid-campaign by Isack Hadjar. Despite the demotion, Tsunoda insists he wasn't influenced by mental or external pressure, viewing the year as a period of significant personal and professional growth. He believes he made great strides in emotional control and focus throughout the intense season.
Why it matters:
Tsunoda's inability to secure the seat alongside Max Verstappen is a significant setback in a career once seen as destined for the top. His comments provide a rare glimpse into the mindset of a driver facing the immense pressure of a top team, highlighting the psychological demands of F1. For Red Bull, it reinforces their "results or else" philosophy, showing they will quickly pivot if a driver isn't delivering, regardless of their potential or junior program background.
The details:
- Mid-season Promotion: Tsunoda was promoted to Red Bull after just two races in 2025, replacing Liam Lawson, who was quickly deemed a poor fit alongside Max Verstappen.
- Performance Struggles: The Japanese driver failed to capitalize on the opportunity, suffering multiple Q1 and Q2 eliminations in qualifying and scoring points only sporadically. He finished the 2025 season 17th in the drivers' standings.
- Tsunoda's Takeaway: Despite the on-track struggles, Tsunoda told DAZN Japan, "I think this was the year I grew the most... I was able to stay focused on my performance and deliver. I didn't let myself be influenced by mental or external pressure."
- 2026 Outlook: He will serve as Red Bull's reserve and test driver in 2026, while his seat is taken by Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar.
Looking Ahead:
Tsunoda's immediate future lies in the reserve role, where he can contribute to development and potentially earn his way back onto the grid. The focus now shifts to Isack Hadjar, who must prove he can handle the pressure of partnering with Verstappen and deliver the results Tsunoda could not. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between opportunity and failure at the pinnacle of motorsport.