Tsunoda Explains Red Bull Contract Restrictions Amidst 2026 F1 Seat Search

Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that his Red Bull contract explicitly restricted him from engaging in discussions with external parties regarding a potential 2026 Formula 1 race seat. This contractual clause ultimately prevented him from exploring other options on the grid as Red Bull confirmed its 2026 line-up, promoting Isack Hadjar in his place and denying him a seat even at the sister Racing Bulls squad.

Why it matters:

After struggling for consistent form since joining Red Bull two rounds into the campaign, Tsunoda's future has been a subject of intense speculation. His revelation highlights the tight control Red Bull maintains over its contracted drivers, even those in junior teams, and underscores the fierce competition for F1 seats within and outside the Red Bull ecosystem. For Tsunoda, it marks a significant setback as he faces what could be his final F1 weekend for the foreseeable future.

The Details:

• Contractual Ban: Tsunoda explicitly stated that his Red Bull contract prevented him from engaging in talks with other teams, despite receiving some external interest. This effectively locked him into a singular focus on securing a Red Bull family seat.
• Prioritization: He emphasized that his priority had always been to remain within the Red Bull family, which he described as the place where he grew up and developed as a driver.
• 2026 Line-up: Red Bull recently confirmed its 2026 driver pairing, promoting Isack Hadjar, who will replace Tsunoda. Tsunoda will transition into a test and reserve driver role.
• No Racing Bulls Seat: Despite his tenure with the Red Bull program, Tsunoda was also denied a race seat at the Racing Bulls team, further illustrating the limited opportunities within the Red Bull sphere for next season.
• Notification Timeline: Tsunoda learned about his lack of a 2026 F1 seat immediately after the Qatar Grand Prix.
• Emotional Impact: As he approaches what could be his final F1 race weekend, Tsunoda admitted the full realization of his situation has not yet hit him, stating, "Probably I'm not recognising that it's going to be the last race for this and next year. Maybe I will feel it more after Abu Dhabi."

What's next:

Tsunoda will serve as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull, keeping him within the F1 paddock but off the active race grid. His future beyond 2026 remains uncertain, but his current situation underscores the high-stakes nature of driver contracts and the challenging path for aspiring and current F1 drivers to secure and maintain a competitive seat.