Missing out on a return to the sister team, Racing Bulls, Tsunoda will now serve as Red Bull's test and reserve driver.
Japan's Yuki Tsunoda described losing his Red Bull race seat for the 2026 Formula One season as "incredibly tough" but pledged to return to the grid.
The 25-year-old was replaced by French rookie Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull. Having also missed out on a return to the sister team Racing Bulls, Tsunoda will instead serve as Red Bull's test and reserve driver.
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Tsunoda expressed his determination on social media, stating, "I'm not finished yet," and vowed to work harder as a test and reserve driver to prove he deserves a race seat.
Tsunoda took over from New Zealand’s Liam Lawson at Red Bull two races into the current season, moving up from Racing Bulls. However, he has scored just 33 points in the world championship compared to Verstappen's 396.
Since joining Red Bull's junior program in 2019, the Japanese driver has participated in over 100 grands prix but has yet to secure a podium finish. He currently ranks just behind Lawson in the standings.
Acknowledging the setback, Tsunoda said, "Life's full of setbacks, and this is mine. It's not going to deter me from being the best F1 driver I can be"
Published: 04 Dec 2025, 10:46 am IST
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