Yuki Tsunoda Vows 'Enormous' Motivation After Losing 2026 Race Seat
Yuki Tsunoda will step into a Red Bull reserve role for 2026 after losing his race seat to Isack Hadjar. Despite the demotion, the 25-year-old insists his motivation remains "enormous."
Yuki Tsunoda is set to leave the Formula 1 grid in 2026, replaced at Racing Bulls by junior driver Isack Hadjar. Despite the demotion to a test and reserve role at Red Bull, the Japanese driver insists his motivation is "enormous," viewing it as a crucial opportunity for growth from a new perspective.
Why it matters:
This move highlights the intense competition within the Red Bull junior program and signals a significant shift in Tsunoda's career trajectory. For a driver once seen as a potential future Red Bull star, being moved to a reserve role is a major setback. However, his response and development in this new position could ultimately define his chances of a comeback to a race seat in the future.
The details:
- The Replacement: Isack Hadjar has earned the promotion to Racing Bulls after an impressive rookie campaign, securing the seat that Tsunoda has held since 2021.
- Direct Competition: Tsunoda's fate was sealed in a direct battle with Liam Lawson, who was retained by the sister team. The Japanese driver scored just 33 points across 22 rounds, making the loss of his seat seem increasingly inevitable.
- A New Perspective: While disappointed, the 25-year-old is embracing the change. He told DAZN Japan, "I'll have the opportunity to see things I didn't see before, to learn from a different perspective, and I'm looking forward to that."
- Future Ambition: Tsunoda emphasized his youth and potential for growth, stating, "I'm only 25, so I still have a lot of room to grow. This is just the beginning."
What's next:
Tsunoda's immediate focus will be on his duties as Red Bull's test and reserve driver for the 2026 season, a pivotal year with new power unit regulations. This role will involve extensive simulator work, potential participation in Friday practice sessions, and being on standby to race. His performance and attitude in this position will be critical in proving his worth and positioning himself for a potential return to the grid, either within the Red Bull family or with another team.