Yuki Tsunoda Reassigned to Red Bull Reserve for 2026

Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese Formula 1 driver, will not compete in the 2026 season opener in Australia after Red Bull reassigned him to a reserve role across its teams, ending his full-time racing stint following a challenging 2025 campaign.

Tsunoda's season began with Racing Bulls, the Faenza-based junior outfit, where he showed strong early form in the first three Grands Prix. His performance prompted an early promotion to the senior Red Bull team, replacing Liam Lawson amid the New Zealander's struggles. The move, which occurred ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, fulfilled a long-held ambition for Tsunoda after four years in the Red Bull program. However, his time in the RB21 car alongside Max Verstappen proved difficult, with the 25-year-old scoring just 30 points over 22 races, finishing third from last among full-time drivers.

The demotion came after the Qatar Grand Prix, when Red Bull informed Tsunoda that the Abu Dhabi finale would be his last as a race driver. He was replaced by French rookie Isack Hadjar, who will partner Verstappen in 2026. Lawson retained his seat at Racing Bulls, while British prospect Arvid Lindblad advanced from Formula 2 to join the team. Tsunoda,...