Yuki Tsunoda dumps Red Bull disappointment vowing ‘F1 is my life’ as he refuses to leave racing

Yuki Tsunoda has doubled down on his commitment to Formula 1 after Red Bull confirmed he will lose his race seat for 2026. The Japanese driver vowed he is “not finished yet” and says F1 is my life, signaling his determination to fight for a return.

Devastation Mixed with Resolve

When asked about receiving the news at Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Tsunoda admitted his initial reaction was shock and disappointment. He revealed that Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, informed him privately moments after the Qatar race.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed, and pissed off,” Tsunoda said. However, he added that surprisingly, the weight of the decision hasn’t fully hit him yet. “I’m surviving okay. The morning after, I ordered breakfast as usual, the same food,” he explained to PlanetF1.com on Thursday.

A Dream Derailed but Not Over

Tsunoda joined Racing Bulls (then AlphaTauri) back in 2021, giving him four years with the junior team before his mid-season promotion to the senior Red Bull squad in 2025. After just 22 races alongside Max Verstappen, he struggled with the pace advantage the Dutch superstar maintained throughout.

Comparing his performance to Verstappen’s, Tsunoda revealed his honest assessment: “I see consistently the difference between me and Max. I can’t remember the last time I was four-and-a-half tenths back.” Despite this gap, he remained philosophical about his time at Red Bull, acknowledging the early mid-season swap meant Verstappen had years of experience in the car.

F1 Dominates His Future Plans

Aspect	Details
New Role	Test and reserve driver for Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls
2026 Status	Off the F1 grid but remains within Red Bull ecosystem
Career Focus	Formula 1 only – no interest in other series
Racing Experience	First year not racing since debut in 2021

When pressed about exploring options beyond Formula 1, such as IndyCar, Tsunoda was unmistakable in his response. “F1 is my life. It’s too early stages to think about anything else. For now, the only motivation I have is F1,” he stated firmly. This clear declaration underscores his unwavering dedication to the sport.

“F1 is my life. It’s too early stages to think about anything else. For now, the only motivation I have is F1. I’m not really thinking about that competition for now, but I’ll do as much as I can with any opportunity to make myself sharp.”

— Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Driver

Learning and Positioning for a Comeback

Tsunoda expressed optimism about his reserve driver role, viewing it as a unique learning opportunity he’s never experienced in his five-year F1 career. Working behind the scenes at both Red Bull entities will provide fresh perspectives on team dynamics and communication strategies between drivers and engineers.

“I’m excited to see from different perspective, different eyes, next year, because, for the first time in my career, I’m not racing,” Tsunoda said. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining his fitness and readiness, stating: “Also still try to be in this shape as much as possible so, when any opportunity comes, I’ll smash the opportunity.”

Will Tsunoda Return to F1 Racing?

History shows Tsunoda isn’t alone in facing a year without a seat. Sergio Pérez departed after 2024 only to secure a lucrative deal with Cadillac for 2026. Alex Albon dropped off the grid after 2020 and returned triumphantly with Williams in 2022, establishing himself as a competitive mid-grid fixture.

The question now is whether Tsunoda can replicate these comebacks or break through to a top-tier championship-winning team. His determination and resilience, evident in his public statements, suggest this setback is merely a chapter in a much longer story awaiting its conclusion.

Sources

• Formula 1 Official – Tsunoda’s full reaction interview
• PlanetF1 – Abu Dhabi press conference coverage
• ESPN – 2026 driver lineup confirmation