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Red Bull’s 2026 Driver Dilemma: Tsunoda’s Struggles Sparks Urgent Team Decision!

David Castro by David Castro
October 23, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Red Bull’s 2026 Driver Dilemma: Tsunoda’s Struggles Sparks Urgent Team Decision!

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 makes a pitstop during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sam Bagnall/Sutton Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202510191279 // Usage for editorial use only //

Tsunoda Faces Uncertain Future as Red Bull’s 2026 Driver Lineup Decision Looms

In a dramatic turn of events, Yuki Tsunoda finds himself in a precarious position as Red Bull Racing’s Formula 1 boss, Laurent Mekies, candidly admits that the Japanese driver’s performances are “still not good enough.” As the team gears up to finalize its driver lineup for the 2026 season, Tsunoda’s recent results have sparked intense scrutiny and speculation about his future at the iconic racing team.

At the recent United States Grand Prix, Tsunoda managed to secure points in both the sprint and the main races, mirroring his best haul of eight points this season. Despite a commendable recovery from an 18th-place start to finish seventh in the grand prix, he lagged a staggering 52 seconds behind his teammate, Max Verstappen, who clinched victory. Tsunoda’s qualifications also left much to be desired, clocking in at 0.765 seconds slower than Verstappen—a gap that underscores his ongoing struggle to balance one-lap speed with sustainable race performance.

When pressed about Tsunoda’s significant gap to Verstappen, Mekies was blunt: “We always want more… I would lie if I told you that it’s good enough.” He continued, emphasizing that neither Tsunoda nor the team feels satisfied with the current status quo, despite acknowledging recent improvements, including two races in the points and commendable starts.

Tsunoda himself expressed frustration, revealing that he felt overly cautious in managing his tires during the race, stating, “It’s currently hard to feel the limit,” indicating a troubling uncertainty in pushing his performance on longer runs. This season, he has struggled particularly on softer tire compounds, admitting, “That extra grip is missing… the delta is getting bigger and bigger,” highlighting a concerning trend that needs urgent attention.

Fans witnessed a more aggressive Tsunoda during the opening laps at the US GP, with daring maneuvers that included a risky dive at Turn 1 during the sprint race. However, his boldness was met with fortuitous outcomes rather than calculated success, as he narrowly avoided disaster after colliding with Isack Hadjar’s vehicle. The main race showcased more of his audacity; yet, with Carlos Sainz’s help, he managed to dodge a potentially catastrophic clash at the first corner.

The stakes are incredibly high for Tsunoda. Red Bull, embroiled in a fierce battle for second place in the constructors’ championship, is actively considering its options as it prepares to make a pivotal decision about its driver lineup. With the specter of rookie Isack Hadjar looming large, Tsunoda’s seat is under serious threat. Mekies hinted at an impending decision around the upcoming Mexican GP, intensifying the pressure on Tsunoda to deliver.

Despite these challenges, Mekies affirmed that Tsunoda still has a role to play as the season unfolds. “We need Yuki,” he stated, highlighting the importance of his contributions to the team’s championship aspirations and testing strategies. Tsunoda must rise to the occasion, as Red Bull seeks to leverage every advantage to support Verstappen’s quest for the drivers’ championship.

As the clock ticks down on Tsunoda’s opportunity to secure his spot with Red Bull, the future remains uncertain. With the possibility of Arvid Lindblad stepping into a Racing Bulls seat and the potential reconfiguration of the lineup, Tsunoda’s fate hangs in the balance. The internal dynamics with Liam Lawson, his former teammate, add another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.

In summary, Yuki Tsunoda is at a crossroads. With Red Bull’s unforgiving standards and fierce competition for the 2026 lineup, he must summon his best performance yet to solidify his place in the annals of Formula 1 history. The pressure is on, and time is running out—will Tsunoda rise to the challenge or become another footnote in the storied legacy of Red Bull Racing? The eyes of the motorsport world are watching intently.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-seasonCarlos Sainzmax-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racing
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