{"id":183566,"date":"2025-10-01T22:30:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T22:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/183566\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T22:30:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T22:30:09","slug":"yuki-tsunodas-last-chance-of-staying-in-f1-has-now-emerged-if-hes-released-by-red-bull","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/183566\/","title":{"rendered":"Yuki Tsunoda’s ‘last’ chance of staying in F1 has now emerged if he’s released by Red Bull"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Yuki Tsunoda is fighting for his future in Formula 1 as Red Bull weigh up their options for 2026.<\/p>\n

The Japanese driver finally got his chance at Red Bull<\/a> when he replaced Liam Lawson<\/a> after two races in 2025. But like his predecessors, Tsunoda<\/a> has struggled to perform in the second car next to Max Verstappen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regular Q1 exits and non-points finishes have put the 25-year-old at risk of losing his seat. Tsunoda is out of contract in 2025<\/a>, and Red Bull may have already decided his fate.<\/p>\n

DRIVERTEAMFranco ColapintoAlpine*George RussellMercedesAndrea Kimi AntonelliMercedesLiam LawsonRacing BullsIsack HadjarRacing BullsYuki TsunodaRed BullDrivers out of contract at the end of the 2025 F1 season
*Franco Colapinto on a race-by-race contract<\/p>\n

The general feeling is that Isack Hadjar will replace Tsunoda at Red Bull<\/a> in 2026. The rookie has hugely impressed the team\u2019s hierarchy at Racing Bulls<\/a> this season, scoring his maiden F1 podium at Zandvoort.<\/p>\n

But the Milton Keynes outfit are yet to confirm their line-up, with Tsunoda pleading with fans to keep supporting him<\/a> as he hopes to stay with the team. However, he faces the likely prospect of leaving Red Bull.<\/p>\n

\"FernandoPhoto by Gabriele Lanzo\/Alessio Morgese\/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesYuki Tsunoda is \u2019emerging\u2019 as an option for Aston Martin reserve driver in his \u2018last shot\u2019 in F1<\/p>\n

Tsunoda has been linked with Alpine<\/a> in recent weeks, with the Enstone outfit having a seat available for 2026. Pierre Gasly wants Alpine to sign Tsunoda<\/a>, having worked alongside him at AlphaTauri.<\/p>\n

Aston Martin<\/a> have been another team commonly mentioned with the Japanese driver. Honda<\/a>, his personal sponsor, will split with Red Bull in 2026 and join forces with the Silverstone outfit as their engine supplier under the new regulations.<\/p>\n

TEAMENGINERed BullRed Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford)FerrariFerrariMcLarenMercedesMercedesMercedesAston MartinHondaRacing BullsRed Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford)HaasFerrariWilliamsMercedesAlpineMercedesAudiAudiCadillacFerrariF1 engine suppliers for the 2026 season<\/p>\n

Given the connections and with former Red Bull designer Adrian Newey<\/a> on board, many have pointed Tsunoda to a move to Aston Martin. However, Fernando Alonso<\/a> and Lance Stroll<\/a> both have contracts until 2026.<\/p>\n

He faces the prospect of falling off the grid entirely. According to journalist Jorge Peiro, Tsunoda is now \u2019emerging\u2019 as an option for the team as a reserve driver, in what would be his \u2018last shot\u2019 in F1 if Red Bull decide to part ways.<\/p>\n

Aston anunciar\u00e1 su alineaci\u00f3n completa de pilotos para 2026 “a su debido tiempo”.<\/p>\n

La semana pasada se anunci\u00f3 la marcha de Drugovich a Andretti F\u00f3rmula E y Tsunoda emerge en las quinielas para ser reserva.<\/p>\n

El japon\u00e9s puede perder su asiento por Hadjar y Honda es su \u00faltima bala. pic.twitter.com\/fQLDHZyGEl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jorge Peir\u00f3 (@JPEIR0) October 1, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wrote via X (formerly Twitter): \u201cAston will announce its full driver lineup for 2026 \u201cin due course\u201d. Last week, Drugovich\u2019s departure to Andretti Formula E was announced, and Tsunoda is emerging as a contender to be a reserve driver.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Japanese driver could lose his seat to Hadjar, and Honda is his last shot.\u201d Peiro also reported that Aston Martin are set to retain Stoffel Vandoorne and Jak Crawford as reserve drivers, while Daniel Juncadella will continue his work in the simulator<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda\u2019s life outside F1 from height to parents<\/a><\/p>\n

\"YukiPhoto by Kym Illman\/Getty ImagesHow Yuki Tsunoda could stay with the Red Bull family at Racing Bulls<\/p>\n

With his chances of staying at Red Bull being slim, Racing Bulls have not ruled out a return for Tsunoda<\/a>. The Faenza outfit are also yet to decide on their driver pairing for 2026.<\/p>\n

With Hadjar set for a promotion, there would be a seat available for the 25-year-old, as Lawson is \u2018strengthening\u2019 his case to stay at Racing Bulls<\/a>. However, Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad<\/a> is being tipped for an F1 seat next season, putting Tsunoda under more pressure.<\/p>\n

Honda could help Tsunoda secure a Racing Bulls seat<\/a>, as, while they are leaving Red Bull, they are set to stay as his sponsor. This is believed to strengthen his chances of staying with the family.<\/p>\n

Ted Kravitz says Tsunoda will \u2018probably\u2019 be at Racing Bulls<\/a> in 2026. His recent form, consisting of P6 in Baku \u2013 his best result for Red Bull \u2013 could be his saving grace.<\/p>\n