Yuki Tsunoda 'blindsided' by Red Bull demotion: the full story behind his 2026 F1 departure

Yuki Tsunoda was left "surprised" by Red Bull's decision to demote him to a reserve driver role for the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking a dramatic reversal for the Japanese driver who had only recently secured a full-time seat at the Milton Keynes squad. Despite preparations toward the end of the 2025 campaign suggesting the outcome was possible, the 25-year-old admitted the confirmation hit differently when it finally arrived.

The timing of the announcement added to the sting. Tsunoda was informed of his demotion following the Qatar Grand Prix, a revelation that contradicted what he had previously heard through other channels. "I was told after the race in Qatar, but honestly, it didn't feel real at first," Tsunoda explained to DAZN Japan, capturing the disorienting nature of the decision.

A challenging campaign alongside Verstappen

Tsunoda's 2025 campaign proved far more difficult than anticipated when he was promoted mid-season in a swap with Liam Lawson. The Japanese driver struggled consistently against his illustrious teammate, ending the season in 17th place in the Drivers' Championship with a best finish of P6 in Azerbaijan.

The performance gap was particularly evident during qualifying sessions. Tsunoda acknowledged the stark reality of competing alongside Max Verstappen, noting a persistent 4.5-tenth deficit that was difficult to overcome. Early exits from Q1 became an unwelcome pattern, undermining his overall race weekend performance despite occasional points finishes. "I see consistently the difference between me and Max. I can't remember the last time I was four-and-a-half tenths back," he reflected.

Red Bull's perspective

Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's Team Principal, characterized the decision as "very difficult," acknowledging both Tsunoda's efforts and the competitive realities of the seat. The demotion means Isack Hadjar will replace Tsunoda as Verstappen's teammate in 2026, while the Japanese driver transitions to a test and reserve role for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.

Despite the setback, Mekies voiced confidence in Tsunoda's future, backing him to return to a race seat down the line.

What's next?

While the reserve driver role might typically signal the beginning of the end, Tsunoda hinted at alternative opportunities. "There's a chance that it won't just be simulator and backup duties next year," he revealed, suggesting he has already explored possible scenarios in different racing series for 2026.

The situation underscores the brutal nature of Formula 1 competition, where even a seat at a top team can offer no guarantee of security when performance doesn't align with elite-level expectations.