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Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 future hangs in the balance: dramatic negotiations with Red Bull revealed

David Castro by David Castro
January 15, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 future hangs in the balance: dramatic negotiations with Red Bull revealed

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 09: Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR25 Mercedes leads Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Kick Sauber C45 Ferrari Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 and Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 09, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Zak Mauger/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202511090619 // Usage for editorial use only //

Tsunoda’s Future in Jeopardy: Ongoing Negotiations with Red Bull Raise Questions

In a shocking turn of events, the future of Yuki Tsunoda has been thrust into uncertainty, as motorsport insiders confirm that negotiations are still underway regarding his future in Formula 1. The young Japanese driver, who has taken a backseat with Red Bull Racing, may be facing a daunting challenge in securing a full-time race seat after being unceremoniously dropped from his role alongside Max Verstappen ahead of the 2026 season.

Tsunoda’s performance was underwhelming, racking up a mere 30 points compared to Verstappen’s staggering 421 points in 2025. This stark contrast highlights the struggles Tsunoda faced in the high-pressure environment of Red Bull, a team known for its relentless pursuit of excellence. Adding to the drama, Liam Lawson, who also failed to impress, has managed to retain his seat at Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, despite a disappointing showing in just two race weekends.

With Tsunoda now relegated to the position of reserve driver, his chances of hitting the track in a full-time capacity seem bleak. This demotion not only casts a shadow over his immediate racing prospects but also jeopardizes his long-term relationship with Honda. Since making his single-seater debut in 2016, Tsunoda has been closely associated with Honda, having been nurtured through their Formula Dream Project. However, with Honda’s strategic pivot towards Aston Martin and the launch of their power units in 2026, the question arises: what does this mean for Tsunoda’s standing?

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) president Koji Watanabe has revealed that negotiations regarding Tsunoda’s contract for the upcoming season are indeed ongoing, indicating that no final agreement has been reached just yet. “Regarding this year’s contract with Tsunoda, negotiations are ongoing, so no specific agreement has been finalized yet. This will be discussed in future talks,” Watanabe stated. He emphasized that the core issue lies not with Tsunoda himself, but rather with how Ford and Red Bull assess the situation. Depending on the terms proposed by Red Bull, Honda’s ability to utilize Tsunoda could significantly shift.

Watanabe remains adamant that Honda still views Tsunoda as part of their driver lineup, but he also acknowledged that there are currently “no plans” to engage their graduates in reserve roles similar to the arrangement with Red Bull. “I expect we will continue to coordinate various programs with Aston Martin, but at this point, there is nothing we have agreed upon that says, ‘Let’s do this right now’,” he elaborated.

As the motorsport world watches closely, the stakes are high for Tsunoda. Will he be able to carve out a future for himself in a sport that can be unforgiving? Or will he become yet another cautionary tale of talent lost in the high-speed shuffle of Formula 1? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the negotiations surrounding Yuki Tsunoda’s future are far from over, and the implications could reshape his career in dramatic fashion. Buckle up, as the race for his future is just beginning!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonliam-lawson-2max-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racingracing-bulls-2yuki-tsunodas
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