Helmut Marko has reportedly chosen who will replace Yuki Tsunoda in Red Bull, with the official announcement appearing imminent. The Japanese driver’s journey with the Milton Keynes team is set to hit a major turning point as Red Bull reshapes its strategies and priorities for 2026.
After five seasons marked by progress and missed opportunities, Yuki Tsunoda has been shown the door. Following careful considerations involving Honda, Red Bull management, and a review of young talents in their junior program, it has been decided that Tsunoda will not have a seat next year.
Strategic timing for the new regulations
The need to define clear guidelines well ahead of the new regulatory era pushed Red Bull to act decisively. In this decision-making process, both recent performance and future potential were crucial factors. Yuki Tsunoda’s position became entangled with the ambitions of Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad, as well as Honda’s development plans spanning Formula 1 and IndyCar.
The decision that changes everything
According to team insiders, Isack Hadjar is set to make the leap in 2026, partnering with Max Verstappen, while Arvid Lindblad would move to Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson. On paper, this choice effectively rules Yuki Tsunoda out of Red Bull’s F1 project.
The possibility of a move to IndyCar, still under Honda’s guidance, seems more than hypothetical. “It’s a competitive championship, a new challenge that I am seriously considering,” Yuki Tsunoda reportedly said.
2025: a year of transition
The 2025 season has confirmed itself as a transitional year, with Yuki Tsunoda’s modest results fueling doubts and accelerating internal evaluations. The Japanese driver has scored a total of 28 points compared to Max Verstappen’s 321, falling well short of the team’s expectations.
As the paddock awaits official clarification, the prevailing sentiment is increasingly that Yuki Tsunoda’s Formula 1 story is approaching its conclusion.
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