Laurent Mekies: Yuki Tsunoda deserves another full-time F1 opportunity

Mekies backs Tsunoda for F1 return

Yuki Tsunoda deserves another opportunity to race full-time in Formula 1, according to Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, despite losing his seat at the end of last season.

Tsunoda was subsequently replaced by Isack Hadjar, who had impressed during his rookie season with sister team Racing Bulls, notably claiming a podium at Zandvoort.

“Yuki is doing a great job with us, not only as a reserve driver, but also as a simulator driver,” Mekies told the Beyond the Grid podcast.

“It's great to have somebody that has such deep, recent experience of the car that can help us behind the scenes. Of course, we wish for him that there is an opportunity that comes soon because racing drivers are meant to race. And that's what we wish for Yuki.”

Lessons from Red Bull’s second-car struggles

Mekies acknowledged that Red Bull has not extracted the level of performance it expected from its second car in recent seasons — an issue the team is actively addressing.

“We are conscious that we haven't been as strong as we would have liked in the past in terms of the second-car performance at Red Bull Racing and it's something we are taking the learnings, we are trying to improve day after day,” he said.

Within that context, Mekies underlined Tsunoda’s underlying pace.

“It's fair to say that Yuki has shown significant speed in the past and we wish for him that another opportunity comes along the way.”

While Mekies’ comments signal clear support, a return to a Red Bull race seat appears unlikely in the near term.

Hadjar’s early impact

Isack Hadjar has made an immediate impression in his first three grands prix alongside Verstappen, despite what Mekies described as a troublesome RB22.

The standout moment came in Melbourne, where Hadjar qualified third on his debut. He followed that by scoring points in China and, notably, outqualifying his world champion team-mate at Suzuka — something Tsunoda did not achieve during his tenure.

“Isack is in a great place right now,” Mekies said ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. “He has done, I think, everything he could have done to maximise his integration with the team.”

Mekies detailed the intensity of Hadjar’s preparation, from relocating to London early in January to spending extensive time at the factory and in the simulator.

“He moved to London in the early days of January. He's at the factory every other day. He spends as much time as he can in the simulator, trying to understand all the engineering parts around the car. He has been as keen as you can be.”

He added that Hadjar even travelled back from Bahrain between pre-season tests to continue simulator work, highlighting what he described as total commitment.

“But the truth is, he's not making an effort, that’s what he loves to do. He has been living, dreaming about that moment for a long time, and for him, it's his dream.”

According to Mekies, the early results reflect that approach.

“He has been able to show the right speed straight away. I'm sure he will remember his first qualifying with us with a P3 in Melbourne, and it's a long season that will be up and down."

“We believe drivers make steps and we expect steps from Isack this year and we think he has all the right talents and all the right approach to be able to make these steps.”

For Tsunoda, the path back to a full-time seat may not lie at Red Bull. But within the team’s leadership, there remains a firm belief that his Formula 1 story should not yet be over.