Yuki Tsunoda stands at a perilous crossroads in his Formula 1 career, with disturbing reports suggesting that Red Bull Racing is ready to part ways with the Japanese driver. The 2025 season was supposed to be Tsunoda’s golden opportunity, after years of hard work in the Red Bull Junior program, but as the season nears its end, concerns over his performance have grown exponentially, putting his F1 future in serious jeopardy.
Tsunoda’s promotion to the senior Red Bull team alongside Max Verstappen was initially celebrated as the culmination of years of effort and development. However, the reality has been far from ideal. With just 28 points to Verstappen’s stunning 341, the performance gap between the two teammates is staggering. This 313-point deficit is the largest between any two teammates on the grid, and the situation has attracted widespread criticism. Robert Doornbos, a former driver and insider, bluntly pointed out the disheartening atmosphere during Red Bull’s debriefs, stating that Tsunoda’s performance has become untenable within the team.
The Red Bull driver program is designed to nurture young talent for the future, not to recycle drivers who have failed to deliver results. Tsunoda’s potential return to AlphaTauri — once considered a fallback — is now virtually off the table, as it would send a damaging message about the program’s integrity and its ability to develop talent. Meanwhile, up-and-coming drivers like Isaac Hajar and Arvid Lindblad are waiting in the wings, further diminishing Tsunoda’s position within the Red Bull hierarchy.
To make matters worse, potential external opportunities are quickly disappearing. Aston Martin, once a possible landing spot due to their partnership with Honda, has already signed Jack Crawford as their reserve driver, effectively closing that door for Tsunoda. On top of that, Honda, who has supported Tsunoda throughout his career, has made it clear that their backing has limits. They’ve emphasized that he needs to prove himself independently if he wishes to continue in F1.
As the 2026 grid starts to take shape, Tsunoda’s options are becoming increasingly limited, leaving him with the bleak possibility of taking on a reserve role or even moving to another racing category altogether. If Tsunoda shifts to IndyCar, history suggests that such a move could effectively end his F1 dream. The weight of expectation and performance pressure is now threatening to crush his chances of becoming a prominent driver in Formula 1, leaving Tsunoda’s future hanging in the balance.
