Beyond desperately needing stronger results, Yuki Tsunoda also needs a supporter who truly believes in his potential—someone who might even grant him another chance if his time within the Red Bull fold comes to an end.
The unexpected support of Alan Permane
Such a scenario might have seemed unlikely, but a glimmer of hope has emerged thanks to Alan Permane, the team principal of Racing Bulls. In a recent interview reported by Formula1.com, Alan Permane openly defended Tsunoda’s performances and revealed himself to be a strong admirer of the Japanese driver: “Yuki stands out for his speed. I have been really impressed with his pace, his tire management, and his qualifying performances.”
The British manager admitted he was genuinely surprised by Tsunoda during their time working together this year within the Red Bull structure, before Alan Permane was promoted to the helm of VCARB in place of Laurent Mekies. His comments went further, showing how highly he values the Japanese talent: “His feedback and his way of driving are in line with the very best drivers. I had never really thought about it before, but it was a pleasant surprise when I started working with him.”
An uncertain Formula 1 future
Tsunoda has not abandoned his dream of continuing in Formula 1. Securing a contract renewal with Red Bull would be as extraordinary as it would be surprising, especially considering the performances of rookie Isack Hadjar, who has been catching attention. Alan Permane’s praise could help reopen the discussion, but competition for seats remains fierce, with young stars in Formula 2 such as Arvid Lindblad pushing hard for promotion. Rumors suggest that Lindblad could become Liam Lawson’s teammate in 2026.
While Lindblad is regarded as a driver with natural talent, he has been inconsistent throughout the season in the feeder category. This inconsistency could allow Yuki Tsunoda to be reconsidered if Red Bull chooses not to take the risk of giving a VCARB seat to a complete rookie. That scenario is complicated further by the end of the Honda partnership, as from 2026 Aston Martin will become the exclusive team running Honda power units.
For now, Yuki Tsunoda can keep his hopes alive, but the chances remain very slim. Accepting a role as a reserve or third driver could be one of the very few ways the Japanese driver manages to stay connected to his dream of remaining in Formula 1.
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