Yuki Tsunoda Breaks Silence on Red Bull Axe over Poor performance

Yuki Tsunoda opened up on his honest thoughts following his brutal Red Bull axe because of failing results in Formula 1.

Yuki Tsunoda Breaks Silence on Red Bull Axe over Poor performance

Yuki Tsunoda (via Getty)

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Yuki Tsunoda failed to perform well at Red Bull following his highly anticipated promotion to the parent team in the early stages of the 2025 season. The Japanese driver was performing much better at Racing Bulls before his move up the chain. Tsunoda failed to live up to the expectations and is set to be snubbed from the team in the coming season. Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar is set to take the seat at Milton Keynes in the 2026 season.

Yuki Tsunoda was backed heavily by the Honda F1 project. The Japanese giant’s partnership with Red Bull gave him a great chance to remain in the team. However, Milton Keynes is set to design their own power units in collaboration with Ford in 2026. As such, Tsunoda will not have a seat at all on any of the teams on the grid, not even Aston Martin, which will use Honda engines from the upcoming season.

As such, Yuki Tsunoda spoke honestly about his feelings and insisted that finding out about not having a seat for 2026 was incredibly tough for him. Still, he will remain the test and reserve driver at Milton Keynes and continue to fulfill his F1 dream. Tsunoda wants to prove that he deserves to have a seat in the pinnacle of motorsport and continue racing under the Japanese flag.

Finding out I won’t have a race seat in 2026 was incredibly tough. But I’m determined to work harder than ever with Red Bull as test and reserve driver to develop with the team, and prove I deserve a place on the grid.

Yuki Tsunoda said via Instagram, @yukitsunoda0511.

Further, Yuki Tsunoda accepted that life was supposed to be full of setbacks, and this was his setback in Formula 1. Though the current situation seems difficult to overcome for the Japanese driver, he isn’t too concerned. Tsunoda reassured that his current conditions would not deter him from being the best F1 driver that he could be and give it his all on the track to prove his racing mettle.

Life’s full of setbacks, and this is mine. It’s not going to deter me from being the best F1 driver I can be.

Yuki Tsunoda added.

Helmut Marko claims Yuki Tsunoda set to ‘prove himself’ at Abu Dhabi

The season finale at Abu Dhabi will be the final race that Yuki Tsunoda runs as a full-time driver at Red Bull. The Japanese will not be seen again on the grid until he fills in for a sick driver on race day because of his reserve driver duties. Regardless, Helmut Marko insisted that Tsunoda was looking to put up a show in Abu Dhabi and prove himself to everyone in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Helmut Marko claimed that Yuki Tsunoda saw the final race as his only opportunity to prove himself and was even more motivated now. Marko acknowledged that Tsunoda’s form was improving, but he just couldn’t translate it during the Qualifying sessions. Regardless, the 82-year-old is certain that the Japanese driver will certainly put on a show in the final race.

He sees this as his big opportunity and is even more motivated, Yuki wants to prove himself to everyone. Yuki’s form is improving, which he hasn’t yet been able to translate into qualifying, He’ll certainly put on a spectacular show; he told me that over dinner.

Helmut Marko told Kleine Zeitung.

Certainly, it isn’t easy to keep thriving in Formula 1 without many results to show for. However, the second seat curse at Red Bull means that no other driver is able to match the standards set by Max Verstappen. Regardless, Isack Hadjar is confident in his capabilities and will be a great partner to the reigning world champion.

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