Photo: RacePictures.

Tsunoda issues first public statement after F1 2026 Red Bull demotion

19:45, 03 Dec

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byNorberto Mujica

Yuki Tsunoda will not be on the grid in the F1 2026 season.

"I'm not finished yet."

- Yuki Tsunoda.

Yuki Tsunoda. Photo: RacePictures

Max Verstappen's current teammate has been notified by Red Bull Racing he will not be a part of the Formula One grid in 2026, as the team has chosen to promote star rookie Isack Hadjar to drive alongside the Dutch driver next year.

The Japanese driver was also passed up as partner to Arvid Lindblad's F1 debut campaign at Racing Bulls in the benefit of Liam Lawson who will complete his second full-time season in Formula One next year.

Tsunoda has undergone a tortuous 2025 campaign for Red Bull scoring only 30 of the team's 426 points tally in the Constructors' Standings, in a season marred with accidents and Q1 and Q2 exits.

The Japanese driver will,however, continue to be a part of the Red Bull Racing team in 2026, but in the role of reserve driver, with his compatriot Ayumu Iwasa confirmed to take up the same functions for Racing Bulls. However, when the F1 hopeful is entertained with other racing commitments, Tsunoda will fill in as Racing Bulls reserve.

Yet, the Japanese driver does not give up on his F1 dream. "I'm not finished yet," he said in an X post on his personal account.

"Finding out I won't have a race seat in 2026 was incredibly tough," he admitted. "But I'm determined to work harder than ever with Red Bull as test and reserve driver to develop with the team, and prove I deserve a place on the grid.

"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," Tsunoda concluded.

Villeneuve thinks Tsunoda should be 'grateful'

1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve said Tsunoda should be grateful and proud of his Formula 1 career after Red Bull’s expected driver reshuffle, suggesting the decision was a long time coming. Read Villeneuve full remarks here.

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