F1 | Yuki Tsunoda doesn’t think about the future: “No regrets!” – GP Qatar
On the eve of the Qatar GP, Yuki Tsunoda admitted that he feels more confident and has no frustration about the future, although his contract renewal is still pending. During the usual Thursday interviews in Qatar, the Japanese driver appeared surprisingly calm in front of the media, despite the uncertainty surrounding his Formula 1 future. He explained that he feels much more in control of the car and his own performance compared to the first part of the season:
“The more you drive this car, the more confidence you gain. The level I had in the first half of the year takes time to regain, but I’m quite happy with the confidence I’ve built, especially after the summer break. If you only look at the results, it might not seem like it, but for what I’m showing, I think I’ve done well. The only unusual moment was Brazil, but we all struggled as a team.”
Yuki Tsunoda in Qatar: “I want to help Max!”
The most anticipated topic concerns the future. With the season nearing its end, no official announcement has been made yet regarding the 2026 Red Bull lineup, but the driver stressed that he does not feel any pressure:
“Frustrated? No. I’ve known for a long time how things stand.”
For him, the priority now is to help Max Verstappen in the title fight and support the team in the Constructors’ Championship:
“Max is fully in the championship fight now, so I want to be in the front group to help him. And this will also be positive for me. In Las Vegas, I was having my best weekend until everything went wrong from Saturday onwards, and honestly, it was out of my control. In Qatar, the goal is to keep doing what I’m doing and put everything together.”
On the sporting side, the Japanese driver explained that there are still no specific team orders to support Max Verstappen, but track dynamics will play out naturally:
“If I’m behind him, I know exactly what I need to do. There are no special instructions.”
Yuki Tsunoda doesn’t want to think about 2026
Regarding possible regrets this season, Yuki Tsunoda cited only one incident:
“No regrets, just the crash in Imola. That set me back quite a bit.”
The Japanese driver confirmed that choosing Red Bull is a decision he would make again:
“I’m happy with my choice. I would do it exactly the same way.”
For now, however, he is not considering the idea of being a reserve driver in 2026:
“I’m not planning anything in that direction.”
With two races left and Max Verstappen still in the hunt for a fifth crown, Yuki Tsunoda heads into the Qatar weekend free of pressure and fully focused on delivering strong points – both for his teammate and, he hopes, for his own future prospects.
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