The Japanese driver concluded his journey as a regular starter for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi, having been demoted to a reserve role for 2025 to make room for the promotion of Isack Hadjar. Speaking about why he did not enter negotiations with other teams—despite external interest in his services—Tsunoda explained that his career path was strictly bound by his existing contract with Red Bull.
Yuki Tsunoda’s tenure as a primary driver for the senior Red Bull squad came to an end at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where his race was effectively run in service of Max Verstappen to keep the team’s final championship hopes alive. However, the weekend highlighted a significant lack of pace compared to his teammate, who went on to win the race. This performance gap essentially mirrored the reasons why the Milton Keynes-based outfit decided to make a change and promote the young talent, Isack Hadjar.
The switch had been anticipated for some time, resulting in Yuki Tsunoda being moved to a reserve driver position. This ensures he remains within the Red Bull ecosystem for at least another year. For a Formula 1 team, having a high-caliber driver for simulator work and a reliable backup ready for any emergency is a fundamental asset, thus continuing a relationship that traces its roots back many years.
Tsunoda was unable to find an opening back at Racing Bulls either. This was largely due to the rapid growth of Liam Lawson during the second half of the season. Liam Lawson benefited greatly from a steering modification introduced by the Faenza-based squad before the summer break, which restored his confidence in the car’s handling. At that point, the Japanese driver was left without any viable alternatives on the grid.
Yuki Tsunoda’s journey in F1 remains inextricably linked to Red Bull. As early as 2024, the team had activated a renewal clause in his contract, despite clear interest shown by rival teams who had sensed a potential opportunity to lure him away from the Red Bull world.
Even when the Milton Keynes team decided to part ways with Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda was overlooked as the replacement. The team leadership believed that Lawson possessed greater long-term potential, despite his limited F1 experience. Before moving to Red Bull, the New Zealander had completed only about ten races—significantly fewer than Yuki Tsunoda’s four full seasons in the sport.
Reflecting on his situation and the inability to secure an alternative seat in the past, Yuki explained that it all came down to the fine print of his agreement.
“My contract was there, so I couldn’t do much. I had a couple of external interests. But really, my contract didn’t allow me to talk with other teams or anything. That’s why I was completely focused on Red Bull. Anyway, it was my priority in recent years. Red Bull is the place where I grew up, so that’s how it is,” Yuki Tsunoda shared in Abu Dhabi.
Red Bull’s strategy was definitive: no race seat, but a reserve role that keeps him in the environment and maintains his bond with the team that nurtured his career. While this position closes the door on immediate racing opportunities, it allows him to stay visible in the paddock and keep the hope of a future comeback alive.
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