Yuki Tsunoda, the 25-year-old Japanese driver, will not continue with Red Bull Racing after the 2025 season, ending a challenging stint marked by underwhelming results. The decision, confirmed by the Austrian team in July 2025, clears the path for new talents in Formula 1 starting in 2026, when new technical regulations take effect. Tsunoda, who raced just ten events for the main team, scored seven points, struggling with the RB21 car and synergy with Max Verstappen. Honda, his longtime partner, is negotiating his relocation, with Aston Martin, their future engine supplier, as a likely destination. The move reflects Red Bull’s strategy to bolster technical development for 2026, while Tsunoda seeks a new path in the sport.
Tsunoda’s time at Red Bull Racing was short but filled with high expectations. Promoted from Racing Bulls at the start of 2025, he replaced Liam Lawson at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. The chance to race alongside Verstappen was seen as a milestone to solidify his career, but the results fell short of the team’s projections.
Key moments of Tsunoda’s Red Bull tenure:
- Ninth place in his Suzuka debut, showing initial promise.
- Points in Bahrain and Imola, but no standout results.
- Crash in Imola, highlighting struggles with the RB21.
- Limited technical feedback, impacting car adjustments.
Red Bull’s decision signals a shift in focus, prioritizing drivers who can contribute to car development and support Verstappen in the title fight.
Challenges with the RB21
The RB21 car, designed under Pierre Waché’s leadership, posed significant challenges for Tsunoda. With a narrow operating window, the car demanded pinpoint precision, a trait that suited Verstappen’s driving style. While the Dutchman secured wins at tracks like Suzuka and Imola, Tsunoda struggled to find consistency, facing frequent Q1 eliminations and challenges in maximizing the car’s potential.
In Miami, the Japanese driver acknowledged the RB21’s complexity. He noted that the car required constant adaptation, with an unstable rear end making it hard to find the ideal rhythm. “Sometimes I feel the car sliding, but the lap time doesn’t show it. It’s a constant learning process,” he said. Despite his efforts, the lack of consistent results weighed heavily on the team’s decision.
Factors limiting Tsunoda’s RB21 performance:
- Narrow operating window, requiring highly precise driving.
- Difficulty translating simulator data to the track.
- Constant comparison to Verstappen’s performance.
- Limited experience with high-performance F1 cars.
His inability to provide detailed technical feedback was also a hurdle, as Red Bull values drivers who actively contribute to car development, especially with the 2026 regulatory changes looming.
Red Bull’s strategy for 2026
Tsunoda’s exit reflects Red Bull’s pragmatic approach, aiming to refresh its driver lineup for the new Formula 1 era. With the switch to Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engines in 2026, the team needs a second driver capable of accelerating technical development and complementing Verstappen. Isack Hadjar, who scored 21 points for Racing Bulls in 2025, emerges as the favorite for the seat.
The 2025 season was tough for Red Bull, finishing fourth in the constructors’ championship. Verstappen, with 165 points, was the team’s backbone, while Tsunoda contributed just seven. The arrival of Laurent Mekies as team principal, replacing Christian Horner, and Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin underscore the need for a rebuild.
Candidates under consideration for 2026:
- Isack Hadjar, with strong results at Racing Bulls.
- Arvid Lindblad, a rising star in F2.
- Liam Lawson, with a potential return if he shows progress.
- Possible signings from rival teams.
Red Bull plans extensive testing in late 2025 to evaluate candidates, focusing on performance and technical expertise.
Tsunoda’s future with Honda
Honda, which has backed Tsunoda since his junior categories, is committed to keeping him in Formula 1. With its Red Bull partnership ending in 2025, the Japanese manufacturer will shift focus to Aston Martin, which will use its engines from 2026. However, Aston Martin’s starting spots are held by Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, both contracted through 2026.
Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, voiced support for the driver but acknowledged limitations. “We want Yuki in a Honda-powered car, but it depends on Aston Martin’s decisions,” he said. One option is Tsunoda taking a test and reserve driver role, focusing on car development. The Japanese driver, however, has expressed a preference for a full-time seat elsewhere.
Possible paths for Tsunoda in 2026:
- Test driver role at Aston Martin, focusing on simulators.
- Talks with smaller teams, like the upcoming Cadillac.
- Return to Racing Bulls, if Red Bull keeps the seat open.
- Exploration of categories like endurance, if no F1 seat is secured.
A move to Aston Martin, while feasible, faces hurdles due to the priority given to Alonso and Stroll, limiting Tsunoda’s chances as a race driver.
Tsunoda’s Formula 1 journey
Tsunoda debuted in Formula 1 in 2021 with AlphaTauri, now Racing Bulls, where he quickly stood out as a promising talent. Trained by the Honda Formula Dream Project, he won the Japanese F4 championship in 2018 and finished third in F2 in 2020. His best season was 2024, scoring 15 points and outperforming teammate Daniel Ricciardo in several races.
At Racing Bulls, Tsunoda found a supportive environment, with a car that allowed him to leverage his natural speed. His promotion to Red Bull Racing, however, brought greater challenges. “At Racing Bulls, I could attack freely. The RB21 demands precise decisions, and that was a shock,” he admitted after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Milestones in Tsunoda’s career:
- 2021 debut with a fourth-place finish in Abu Dhabi.
- Seventh place in the 2024 Miami GP, his best result.
- Promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2025.
- Only seven points in ten races in the 2025 season.
Despite the challenges, Tsunoda is regarded as the most consistent Japanese driver in F1 history, surpassing figures like Takuma Sato.
Culture and pressure at Red Bull
Red Bull Racing is known for its rigorous driver selection process. Since Verstappen established himself as the team’s leader, drivers like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Pérez struggled to match his pace. Tsunoda followed suit, facing pressure to deliver immediate results and detailed technical feedback.
Laurent Mekies, the new team principal who worked with Tsunoda at Racing Bulls, defended his potential. “Yuki is fast and has room to grow. He needs a car that suits his style,” he said. Despite the support, the decision to replace him reflects the team’s focus on immediate results.
Reasons for Tsunoda’s exit:
- Struggles to handle pressure racing alongside Verstappen.
- Lack of synergy with engineers on car development.
- Red Bull’s culture, prioritizing instant results.
- Need for a driver aligned with 2026 goals.
Tsunoda’s departure marks a turning point for Red Bull, which now focuses on building a competitive team for the 2026 regulations. For Tsunoda, his F1 future hinges on finding a team that values his speed and potential, with Honda as his key ally.
