In the high-octane world of Formula 1, few seats are as coveted as those at Red Bull Racing, yet Yuki Tsunoda finds himself in the precarious position of fighting to retain his for the 2026 season. Despite a string of results that have seen him finish outside the points, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko remains optimistic about Tsunoda’s prospects alongside Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda’s journey with Red Bull has been fraught with challenges since he stepped in for Liam Lawson at the Japanese Grand Prix. His struggle to score points has been evident, managing just ten so far, and currently enduring a seven-race stint without a top-ten finish. However, Marko sees potential in Tsunoda’s performance, particularly highlighting his qualifying pace at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he was only marginally slower than Verstappen.
The Hungarian GP weekend was a mixed bag for Tsunoda. Despite showing promise in practice by outpacing Verstappen, he hit a snag in qualifying, narrowly missing out on Q2. A tactical decision by Red Bull saw him start from the pit lane after a power unit change, a move designed with future races like Monza in mind. Unfortunately, the race did not unfold as hoped, with Tsunoda crossing the line a lap down in 17th place.
Newly appointed Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has been vocal about his commitment to improving Tsunoda’s performance. Mekies acknowledges the progress made by Tsunoda and his team, especially noting improvements seen at Spa. The focus, as stated, is clear: provide Tsunoda with the tools he needs to excel.
While Tsunoda’s contract status remains uncertain beyond the current season, Marko has assured continuity for now. The real evaluation will come after the summer break, where Red Bull will assess Tsunoda’s trajectory and make a definitive decision about his future with the team.
Tsunoda, currently 18th in the Drivers’ Championship, faces an uphill battle to prove himself worthy of staying at one of the sport’s top teams. The coming races will be crucial for the young Japanese driver as he aims to secure his place in the Red Bull lineup for 2026.
