Yuki Tsunoda will have to watch the 2026 Formula 1 season from the sidelines after being demoted to a Red Bull Racing reserve role, making way for Isack Hadjar, while Arvid Lindblad took the only available seat at Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing after only two races in 2025 as the Kiwi struggled to perform, but the Japanese driver did not fare any better and was let go by the end of the season.
Looking back on his dismissal, Tsunoda said: “Surprisingly, it was okay; I felt normal.”
He then went on revealing that he trained hard despite only being a reserve driver, as he wanted to be in top shape should any opportunity present itself, insisting that he hasn’t given up on a future drive in F1.
Tsunoda said: “I actually still prepared for the season quite a lot physically. Now is probably the best shape I’ve been in in my life. I think physically, in terms of numbers, it’s even better than last year. I’m definitely happy with my shape, and I just need some laps for my muscles to get used to driving again.
“Sometimes I feel a little bit weird doing this kind of preparation and training, knowing that I’m not racing,” the 25-year-old admitted. “But anything can happen. That’s what I also got told by the team.
“I’ve prepared as much as possible; I’m in the best shape, and my mental [approach] is always, ‘Okay, if the team asks me to jump in, make sure I perform’, and that’s it—just being ready.”
Tsunoda believes staying within the F1 paddock could be key for his future with regards to a second chance.
Australia was pretty tough
He explained: “I think showing my face, not just at Red Bull but in the general paddock, is quite important. I want to still. I’m not giving up on driving in F1.
“Rather than going to other series and racing. That’s also partly good, because you’ll be sharp, but at the same time, you don’t know what’s going on in F1 very much.
“It was pretty tough to watch, actually, the race week in Australia,” Tsunoda, who will watch his home race from the pit wall, said. “Watching from the screen was definitely something different.
“I was okay at the Bahrain test, but race week was a different story, and it was really tough. At the same time, I was able to recognize how much I care about this sport and how hungry I am to get back in a seat.
“But I’m not thinking too much about the future, because it’s not in my control. It’s more always thinking about how I can extract the [most from the day, even the day that obviously you’re not in the best position. For example, watching from the screen is not the best position, but you can still do something.
“I’m also focusing on myself to be in a place that I’m happy with. When you’re in an F1 season, you can’t really focus on yourself, but now I have time to think about myself, to kind of spend time to myself, and to be in a happy moment,” Tsunoda concluded. (Source: Formula 1 Official Website)