Yuki Tsunoda, the 25-year-old Japanese driver, will not continue with Red Bull Racing after the 2025 season, ending a brief and challenging stint with the top team. The decision, confirmed internally by the Austrian outfit, follows Tsunoda’s mere ten-race run, where he scored just seven points as Max Verstappen’s teammate. Struggles to adapt to the demanding RB21 car and limited technical contributions to its development prompted the exit. Supported by longtime backer Honda, Tsunoda now looks for a new path, with Aston Martin, Honda’s engine partner from 2026, as a likely destination, though only as a test driver. The move opens the door for fresh talent at Red Bull while raising questions about Tsunoda’s Formula 1 future.
Tsunoda’s time at Red Bull Racing began with high hopes but fell short of expectations. Promoted from Racing Bulls to replace Liam Lawson at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, the driver faced challenges mastering the RB21, a car with a narrow performance window. While Verstappen clinched victories, Tsunoda struggled to progress beyond Q1 in several races, amassing only seven points. Red Bull’s decision reflects the need for a second driver to support Verstappen in championship battles and contribute to the 2026 car’s development under new regulations.
- Key moments from Tsunoda’s Red Bull tenure:
- Promising ninth-place finish at Suzuka debut.
- Points in Bahrain and Imola, but no podiums.
- Crash in Imola, highlighting RB21 struggles.
- Limited technical feedback for car adjustments.
Technical challenges of the RB21
The RB21, designed under Pierre Waché’s direction, posed significant hurdles for Tsunoda. Unlike the more forgiving Racing Bulls car, the RB21 demanded pinpoint precision, which Verstappen mastered but Tsunoda could not. The car’s rear instability and need for fine-tuned adjustments hampered his consistency. Before the Miami Grand Prix, Tsunoda noted, “Sometimes I feel it sliding, but the lap time is okay. I need to find the rhythm.” Despite efforts, results remained elusive, and the team highlighted his struggle to provide actionable data for improvements.
Red Bull seeks a driver who can deliver both speed and detailed technical feedback, especially with the switch to Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engines in 2026. Tsunoda’s limited experience with top-tier cars made this expectation difficult to meet, hastening his departure.
- Factors hindering Tsunoda’s RB21 adaptation:
- Narrow performance window of the car.
- Limited experience with elite F1 machinery.
- Challenges translating simulator data to track.
- Pressure of comparison to Verstappen’s results.
Uncertain future with Aston Martin
Honda, Tsunoda’s supporter since his junior career, is committed to keeping him in Formula 1. With their Red Bull partnership ending in 2025, Honda is eyeing 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 noted limitations, as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are contracted with Aston Martin through 2026.
A potential role for Tsunoda is as a test and reserve driver at Aston Martin, aiding car development. However, Tsunoda has shown reluctance to accept non-racing roles, preferring a full-time seat. Other options include talks with smaller teams like the upcoming Cadillac outfit or a return to Racing Bulls if Red Bull keeps the seat open.
- Possible paths for Tsunoda in 2026:
- Test driver role at Aston Martin, focusing on development.
- Negotiations with teams like Cadillac.
- Potential return to Racing Bulls.
- Exploration of other categories, like endurance racing.
Tsunoda’s situation underscores the intense pressure within Red Bull’s environment, known for its rigorous driver selection. Since Verstappen became the team’s cornerstone, drivers like Pierre Gasly and Sergio Pérez have struggled to match his pace. Tsunoda, despite flashes of speed, faced similar challenges.
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Tsunoda’s Formula 1 journey
Yuki Tsunoda debuted in Formula 1 in 2021 with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls), emerging as a promising talent through the Honda Formula Dream Project. After winning the Japanese F4 championship in 2018 and finishing third in F2 in 2020, he earned his F1 seat. His standout 2024 season saw him score 15 points, outpacing teammate Daniel Ricciardo in several races.
At Red Bull Racing, the pressure intensified. “At Racing Bulls, I could attack freely. The RB21 demands precise decisions constantly, and I’m still learning,” Tsunoda said after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Despite his efforts, limited results and a lack of synergy with Red Bull’s engineers sealed his exit.
- Milestones in Tsunoda’s F1 career:
- 2021 debut with AlphaTauri, fourth place in Abu Dhabi.
- Seventh place in the 2024 Miami GP, his best result.
- 2025 promotion to Red Bull Racing.
- Seven points in ten 2025 races.
Red Bull’s demanding culture
Red Bull Racing is notorious for its unforgiving approach to driver selection. The team prioritizes immediate results and detailed technical feedback, which Tsunoda, accustomed to a more collaborative setup at Racing Bulls, found challenging. The arrival of Laurent Mekies as team principal raised hopes for a more balanced approach, but Tsunoda’s exit was confirmed. Mekies praised his potential: “Yuki is fast and talented. He needs a car that lets him explore his speed without so many constraints.”
Racing alongside Verstappen, the team’s benchmark, proved daunting. Tsunoda’s instinctive driving style struggled to align with Red Bull’s emphasis on autonomy and technical precision.
- Reasons for Tsunoda’s departure:
- Struggles with decision-making under pressure.
- Misalignment with Red Bull’s technical culture.
- Limited contribution to RB21 development.
- High expectations next to Verstappen.
Red Bull’s plans for 2026
With Tsunoda’s exit, Red Bull is assessing options for 2026. Isack Hadjar, who scored 21 points with Racing Bulls in 2025, is the leading candidate to partner Verstappen. Arvid Lindblad, a rising star in junior categories, is also in contention. The shift to Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engines requires a driver who can provide precise feedback, a strength Hadjar demonstrated.
The 2025 season was tough for Red Bull, finishing fourth in the constructors’ championship. Verstappen’s 165 points carried the team, while Tsunoda added just seven. Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin marks a rebuilding phase, with Red Bull aiming to regain dominance in 2026.
- Candidates for Tsunoda’s 2026 seat:
- Isack Hadjar, with strong Racing Bulls performance.
- Arvid Lindblad, a junior category standout.
- Liam Lawson, with potential for a return.
- External drivers from rival teams.
Tsunoda’s departure signals a new chapter for Red Bull, focused on fresh talent and preparing for 2026’s regulatory changes. Despite the setbacks, Tsunoda remains a key figure in F1, and his next move could shape his career in the sport.
