4 April 2026F1i.comResultsDriver Ratings

Tsunoda says he’s not quitting F1 – ‘anything can happen’

Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, now Red Bull’s reserve after a brief senior seat stint, vows to stay in F1, emphasizing his peak fitness and readiness for a surprise race‑seat call‑up.

Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver who spent 2025 in Red Bull’s senior seat before being shifted to the reserve role, says he’s not quitting F1. He stays in the paddock, trains in peak condition and waits for a surprise call‑up. ‘Anything can happen,’ he adds, and he wants to be ready when it does.

Why it matters:

Tsunoda is Red Bull’s sole Japanese driver, a key market link for the team.
A reserve who stays technically sharp can step in instantly if a regular driver is out.

The details:

Reserve duties: Tsunoda backs Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen, attending every debrief and simulator session.
Physical peak: He reports his fitness numbers beat his 2025 baseline.
Mental prep: Red Bull told him to “stay ready,” underscoring F1’s unpredictable driver line‑ups.
Staying in F1: He chose to remain embedded in the sport rather than drift to IndyCar or WEC.

What's next:

If a driver falls ill or underperforms, Red Bull could promote Tsunoda, as they have with past reserves.
His training keeps him in contention for a full‑time seat, either with a junior Red Bull outfit or another team.
Until a call‑up, Tsunoda’s mantra stays ‘anything can happen,’ and he’s ready to prove he never left.