Yuki Tsunoda Out at Red Bull for 2026, Will Shift to Reserve Role
Yuki Tsunoda’s time as a full-time Formula 1 driver with Red Bull has come to an end-at least for now. The 25-year-old Japanese driver won’t be racing for Red Bull or their sister team, Racing Bulls, in the 2026 season. Instead, he’ll transition into a reserve and test driver role within the Red Bull organization.
It’s a move that signals both an end and a potential new beginning. While Tsunoda won’t be on the grid when the lights go out in 2026, he’ll stay very much in the mix-working behind the scenes with the team, logging simulator hours, and contributing to car development during one of the most pivotal regulation shifts in recent F1 history.
What Tsunoda’s New Role Means
As Red Bull’s third driver, Tsunoda will help gather critical data through testing and simulator work. That’s no small task, especially with sweeping regulation changes set to hit the sport in 2026. Teams will be leaning heavily on their reserve drivers to fine-tune setups and provide feedback that could shape the car’s competitiveness for the entire season.
And while he won’t be racing, Tsunoda will still be trackside on race weekends, ready to step in if either of the Red Bull drivers is unable to compete. It’s a role that keeps him in the paddock, in the conversation, and-importantly-in contention for a return to the grid in 2027.
"His personality is infectious, and he has become a very special part of the Red Bull family," said team principal Laurent Mekies, underscoring Tsunoda’s continued value to the organization beyond just lap times.
There’s also precedent here. Both Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon spent time as Red Bull reserves before making their way back into race seats. For Tsunoda, this could be a strategic pause rather than a full stop.
A Look Back at 2025
Tsunoda’s 2025 season was a rollercoaster. He began the year with Racing Bulls, but was promoted to Red Bull in time for his home Grand Prix in Japan-a massive moment in his career.
But the numbers tell a tough story. Through the Qatar Grand Prix, Tsunoda had scored just 33 points-30 of those coming after his promotion to the main team.
In comparison, Max Verstappen has racked up 396 points over the same stretch. And even Tsunoda’s former Racing Bulls teammates have edged him out: Liam Lawson, who took over Tsunoda’s seat, has 38 points, while rookie Isack Hadjar sits 10th in the standings with 51 points.
Hadjar’s strong rookie campaign has earned him a promotion to Red Bull for 2026, effectively taking over Tsunoda’s seat. It’s a bold move by the team, banking on youth and upside heading into a new era of F1.
Tsunoda’s final race as a Red Bull driver will come at the season finale in Abu Dhabi-a fitting bookend for a campaign that’s seen him experience both the thrill of promotion and the sting of being replaced.
From Rookie to Reserve
Tsunoda made his F1 debut back in 2021 with what was then AlphaTauri, now Racing Bulls. Over the years, he’s built a reputation as a fiery, fearless driver with flashes of brilliance and a deep connection to the Red Bull family. While the results haven’t always followed, his presence has never gone unnoticed.
Now, as he steps into a new role, Tsunoda remains in the F1 ecosystem-still part of the action, still contributing, and still with a shot at writing the next chapter in his racing story.
The door isn’t closed. It’s just not on the starting grid right now.