Tsunoda sees benefits of being on the sideline, hopes to follow Perez's path

20:22, 04 Dec

Updated: 20:30, 04 Dec

byOwen Bradley

Yuki Tsunoda will not be racing in Formula 1 for the 2026 season. However, the Japanese driver remains optimistic for the future ahead as Red Bull's Reserve Driver.

I'm excited to see from a different perspective. Maybe I can learn a lot of things that I never imagined. I'm excited for that

- Yuki Tsunoda

Tsunoda will be replaced by Isack Hadjar for the 2026 season at Red Bull Racing. However, despite a difficult season in 2025, Tsunoda remains optimistic about his future in the sport, with the Japanese driver taking on the role of Red Bull's Reserve Driver.

Alex Albon, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have recently all managed to secure seats in F1, despite being ousted from their former teams, and being forced to watch from the side-lines for a season.

Speaking on his role for next season, Tsunoda stated: "I'm excited to see from a different perspective, different eyes next year. First time in my career that I'm not racing. Maybe I can learn a lot of things that I never imagined about, so I'm excited for that."

Speaking about his future opportunities, Tsunoda said: "Try to also be in this shape as much as possible, whenever any opportunity comes, I'll smash it with that opportunity. Until then, keep my good shape and wait for it."

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Photo: Race Pictures

The benefits of Tsunoda taking one season out from competing in F1

With 11 teams on the grid next season, and the elder statesmen of the sport like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton potentially looking to retire in the coming seasons, a seat may become available to Tsunoda, who has shown pace on occasion.

Tsunoda outqualified Max Verstappen during sprint qualifying for the Qatar sprint race, and the Red Bull driver has also scored a best result of fourth at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, racing for Alphatauri (now Racing Bulls) at the time.

The stories of Albon, Perez and Bottas may serve as inspiration and hope for Tsunoda, with all three of them taking an entire season out of the sport and then returning. Both Albon and Perez, were dropped from the Red Bull team before coming back into the sport, with Williams and Cadillac respectively.

Therefore, one advantage Tsunoda may have, is that he will be able to learn from Red Bull Racing and watch Verstappen and Hadjar closely, which could prove hugely beneficial, should another outfit pick up the Japanese driver, as he will have worked with a championship-winning team, who have major resources at their disposal.

Tsunoda could become an attractive prospect in the future, similar to how Albon and Sainz at Williams, the pair of them bringing elite knowledge from top tier teams.

Although, with the upcoming technical regulations overhaul for 2026, will a year out of competing in F1 actually prove to be detrimental to Tsunoda's career? It could be more difficult for the Japanese driver to get back into the sport, with unfamiliar machinery. On the other hand, the reserve driver role with Red Bull could help with Tsunoda's knowledge of the next generation of F1 cars.

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