Called to replace Liam Lawson after only two races, Yuki Tsunoda is now out of Red Bull. Only the official announcement is missing before the Japanese driver leaves F1 entirely
How quickly things change in Formula 1. The world of the Circus, often overwhelmed by hasty judgments and verdicts, is ready to witness yet another shake-up at Red Bull.
This time the victim will be Yuki Tsunoda. A statement is expected in the coming hours that will oust the Japanese driver from the Red Bull seat following a season that was nothing short of disastrous.
To add insult to injury, Yuki will not only be dismissed by Milton Keynes, but in all likelihood, he will not even secure the Faenza seat at Racing Bulls. That spot is presumably set to be occupied by Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad in 2026. In short, a predictable nightmare is taking shape.
From the Big Break to the Worst Nightmare: Tsunoda’s 2025
After four seasons behind the wheel of AlphaTauri (now VCARB), 2025 seemed to be the perfect moment for Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull. However, the opportunity was initially snatched away by Liam Lawson, designated by Helmut Marko as the ideal heir to Sergio Perez, who was sacked following a lackluster 2024.
If Perez was deemed no longer suitable for the role of second driver, Lawson incredibly managed to fare even worse: 0 points scored in two races, two Q1 eliminations (including a last-place grid start in China), and significant driving difficulties. Marko therefore opted for a desperate change: Lawson was sacked to make room for Tsunoda.
Never was there a more drastic choice for the Japanese driver, who found himself forced to outperform his predecessors. It was a double-edged sword that proved lethal, as his performance never showed any evident improvement. The comparison with Verstappen remained crushing: 33 points for Tsunoda against Max’s 396.
Thus ends the adventure at Red Bull, which will see Isack Hadjar (in his second year of his F1 career) behind the wheel of the Austrian bulls next season. But that’s not all: Yuki will not even see a return to the Racing Bulls seat, as the team is keen to debut the promising Lindblad and further confirm Lawson.
Recalling the previous experiences of Gasly, Albon, and Lawson himself, this is certainly an inglorious end for a driver like Tsunoda—the result of yet another disaster within the Red Bull camp.
Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing
