Yuki Tsunoda, Japan’s rising Formula 1 star, will not continue with Red Bull Racing after the 2025 season, ending a challenging tenure marked by struggles with the RB21 car and modest results. The Austrian team confirmed the decision after Tsunoda scored just seven points in ten races as Max Verstappen’s teammate. The move reflects Red Bull’s demand for immediate performance and technical input for the 2026 car, aligning with new regulations. Honda, Tsunoda’s longtime supporter, is now exploring options, with Aston Martin, their engine partner from 2026, as a potential destination for a test driver role. Tsunoda’s exit raises questions about his F1 future and highlights the difficulty of racing alongside Verstappen.
Tsunoda’s Red Bull stint began with high hopes but ended in technical and performance hurdles. Promoted from Racing Bulls to replace Liam Lawson at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, the 25-year-old struggled to adapt to the demanding RB21. While Verstappen secured wins at tracks like Suzuka and Imola, Tsunoda faced inconsistency, often exiting in Q1 and scoring minimally.
- Key moments from Tsunoda’s Red Bull tenure:
- Promising ninth-place finish at Suzuka debut.
- Points scored in Bahrain and Imola, but no podiums.
- Crash in Imola underscored RB21 struggles.
- Limited technical feedback for car development.
Red Bull’s decision signals a strategic shift, prioritizing a driver who can support Verstappen’s title bids and contribute to the 2026 car, powered by Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engines.
Technical struggles with the RB21
The RB21, designed under Pierre Waché’s direction, posed significant challenges for Tsunoda. Unlike the more forgiving Racing Bulls car, the RB21 required pinpoint precision, a strength of Verstappen but a hurdle for Tsunoda. The car’s rear instability limited his competitiveness, as he struggled to find consistency. In a pre-Miami Grand Prix interview, Tsunoda noted, “The RB21 is tricky, but sometimes the lap time is good even when it feels unstable. I need to find its rhythm.” Despite early optimism, results remained elusive, and his feedback offered little for car adjustments.
Constant comparisons to Verstappen, who won races despite Red Bull’s fourth-place finish in the 2025 constructors’ championship, intensified pressure. Verstappen amassed 165 points, while Tsunoda’s seven points underscored the gap. Red Bull now seeks a driver to bolster technical development for 2026.
- Factors hindering Tsunoda’s RB21 adaptation:
- Narrow performance window of the car.
- Limited experience with top-tier F1 machinery.
- Difficulty translating simulator data to track performance.
- Pressure of racing alongside Verstappen.
Uncertain path with Aston Martin
Honda, which has backed Tsunoda since his junior career, is committed to keeping him in Formula 1. With their Red Bull partnership ending in 2025, Honda is turning to Aston Martin, their 2026 engine partner. Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, expressed hope for Tsunoda to race in a Honda-powered car but acknowledged challenges, as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are contracted with Aston Martin through 2026.
A likely scenario is Tsunoda taking a test and reserve driver role at Aston Martin, focusing on car development. However, Tsunoda has voiced reluctance for a secondary role, stating after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, “I want to race, not just test. If I stay in F1, it needs to be a competitive seat.”
- Possible outcomes for Tsunoda in 2026:
- Reserve driver role at Aston Martin, aiding development.
- Talks with smaller teams, like the upcoming Cadillac outfit.
- Potential return to Racing Bulls, if Red Bull keeps a seat open.
- Exploration of other categories, such as endurance racing.
A move to Aston Martin faces obstacles, with Alonso central to the team’s plans and Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, unlikely to be replaced, limiting Tsunoda’s chances for a full-time seat.
Tsunoda’s Formula 1 journey
Tsunoda debuted in Formula 1 with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2021, quickly establishing himself as a promising talent. A product of Honda’s Formula Dream Project, he won the 2018 Japanese F4 championship and finished third in F2 in 2020, earning his F1 seat. His strongest season was 2024, scoring 15 points and outpacing teammate Daniel Ricciardo in several races.
At Racing Bulls, Tsunoda thrived in a supportive environment with a less demanding car. His promotion to Red Bull Racing, however, exposed struggles under pressure and with a car tailored to Verstappen’s style. “At Racing Bulls, I could push freely. The RB21 demands constant precision, and I’m still adapting,” Tsunoda said after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
- Milestones in Tsunoda’s F1 career:
- 2021 debut with AlphaTauri, fourth place in Abu Dhabi.
- Seventh place in 2024 Miami GP, his career-best result.
- 2025 promotion to Red Bull Racing, replacing Lawson.
- Seven points in ten 2025 races.
Despite setbacks, Tsunoda remains Japan’s most consistent F1 driver, surpassing the longevity of predecessors like Takuma Sato and Kamui Kobayashi.
Red Bull’s high-pressure culture
Red Bull Racing’s ruthless driver selection process is well-documented. Since Verstappen became the team’s cornerstone, drivers like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Pérez, and Liam Lawson have struggled to match his pace. Tsunoda, though talented, faced similar challenges, with his speed overshadowed by limited synergy with the RB21 and Red Bull’s demanding environment.
The transition to Laurent Mekies as team principal, replacing Christian Horner, raised hopes for a more balanced approach. Mekies, who worked with Tsunoda at Racing Bulls, praised his potential: “Yuki is fast and has growth potential. He needs a car that lets him unleash his speed without so many constraints.” Despite this, Tsunoda’s exit was finalized, reflecting Red Bull’s focus on immediate results.
- Reasons behind Tsunoda’s departure:
- Struggles with high-pressure decision-making.
- Misalignment with Red Bull’s technical culture.
- Insufficient feedback for RB21 development.
- High expectations as Verstappen’s teammate.
Red Bull’s plans for 2026
With Tsunoda’s exit, Red Bull is evaluating options for 2026. Isack Hadjar, who scored 21 points with Racing Bulls in 2025, is the leading candidate to pair with Verstappen. Arvid Lindblad, a standout in F2, is also under consideration. The switch to Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engines demands a driver who can provide precise technical feedback, a strength Hadjar demonstrated at Racing Bulls.
The 2025 season was challenging for Red Bull, finishing fourth in the constructors’ championship. Verstappen’s 165 points carried the team, while Tsunoda’s contribution was minimal. Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin and Mekies’ arrival mark a rebuilding phase, with Red Bull aiming to reclaim dominance in 2026.
- Candidates for Tsunoda’s 2026 seat:
- Isack Hadjar, with strong Racing Bulls results.
- Arvid Lindblad, a rising star in junior categories.
- Potential return of Liam Lawson, if he shows progress.
- External candidates from rival teams.
Tsunoda’s departure closes a chapter for Red Bull, now focused on reshaping its lineup for the 2026 regulatory changes. For Tsunoda, the F1 future is uncertain, but his speed and determination suggest he may yet secure a grid spot, whether with Honda or another ambitious project.
