Red Bull delays 2026 driver lineup as Tsunoda earns Dutch Grand Prix points

Yuki Tsunoda salvaged a morale-boosting ninth place at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday but remains under pressure as Red Bull delays a decision on its 2026 driver line-up. Tsunoda, who started 12th after failing to reach Q3 at Zandvoort, overcame midrace engine problems and multiple Safety Car periods to finish in the points, while Red Bull senior figures said they will observe further races before choosing who will partner Max Verstappen next season.

Tsunoda said the result gave him confidence after a run of seven races without points, but he warned that the weekend was far from straightforward. He described an unspecified power unit gremlin that at one stage left his RB21 so lacking in pace that the Safety Car was faster than his car. He praised his engineers for minimising the damage and said he would leave contract talks and potential moves to his management, focusing instead on delivering on track. "My priority is to stay in Red Bull and to show the performance as much as possible," he told reporters. "I just focus on myself in terms of performance."

Team principal Laurent Mekies underlined the team's willingness to support Tsunoda while taking a measured approach to the...