Tsunoda to Become Red Bull Reserve Driver in 2026

As Formula 1’s 2025 season winds down amid Max Verstappen’s nail-biting championship fight, the paddock’s attention has shifted to the seismic driver market shake-up for 2026. At the epicenter: Yuki Tsunoda (pictured), the fiery Japanese talent whose Red Bull tenure has been a rollercoaster of promise and peril.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Reports emerging from credible Japanese and Dutch media outlets suggest Tsunoda is poised for a demotion from full-time racer to reserve driver at Red Bull Racing, effective next season. With an official announcement rumored for today, December 2, this move—fueled by internal promotions and Honda’s lingering influence—could redefine Tsunoda’s career trajectory just as the grid braces for a new regulatory era.

The Rumor Unpacked: From Race Seat to Sidelines

The buzz ignited late Monday when Shiga Sports, a respected Japanese F1 journalist, dropped a bombshell on X: “Yuki Tsunoda’s appointment as Red Bull Racing’s reserve driver for 2026 is confirmed. Yesterday’s Dutch media report was spot on. Final details are being adjusted, with an official announcement expected today.”

This aligns with a De Telegraaf scoop from Erik van Haren, who cited high-level Red Bull sources claiming Isack Hadjar will “definitely” slot in as Verstappen’s teammate at the senior team, while Arvid Lindblad earns an F1 debut at Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson. Tsunoda, squeezed out of a race seat across both Red Bull squads, would pivot to a reserve role—potentially covering both teams under a Honda-brokered Test Previous Car (TPC) program.

Racing Bulls principal Laurent Mekies hinted at the timeline post-Qatar Grand Prix, noting the announcement would drop Tuesday (today) without spilling specifics. “It could be down to the last point [in Abu Dhabi], so it could be mega important,” Mekies said of Tsunoda’s focus on aiding Verstappen, underscoring the 25-year-old’s value even amid uncertainty. X chatter amplified the rumor overnight, with accounts like @formularacers_ and @shigasportsf1 racking up thousands of engagements, fans lamenting the “harsh outcome” for a driver who’s outpaced expectations yet fallen victim to Red Bull’s youth pipeline.

Tsunoda’s Rocky Ride: Promise, Pressure, and Verstappen’s Shadow

Tsunoda’s ascent was meteoric. The Honda-backed prodigy debuted with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2021, injecting raw speed and unfiltered passion into a midfield squad. By 2024, he’d notched podiums and solidified his status as Japan’s F1 flagbearer. His 2025 promotion to Red Bull alongside Verstappen—replacing a struggling Liam Lawson after just two races—seemed a coronation. Yet, the pressure cooker of Milton Keynes proved brutal. Outqualified and outscored by the four-time champ Verstappen, Tsunoda managed flashes of brilliance, like his strong showing in Qatar Sprint Qualifying, but averaged a deficit that exposed the team’s ruthless meritocracy.

Critics point to Red Bull’s infamous teammate curse – all devoured by Verstappen’s dominance. Tsunoda, ever candid, admitted post-Las Vegas, “I’ve been faster than Max multiple times,” a nod to his untapped potential. But with Hadjar’s blistering rookie campaign—outpacing veterans in sprints and grands prix—the French-Algerian phenom emerged as the logical successor. Lindblad’s F2 dominance and Lawson’s redemption arc (post his early 2025 benching) further crowded the field, leaving Tsunoda as the odd man out.

Honda’s Heavy Hand: A Lifeline or Leverage?

No discussion of Tsunoda’s fate omits Honda, whose millions have bankrolled his rise since day one. As engine supplier until 2025 (and potential TPC partner beyond), the Japanese giant wields outsized influence. Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing’s F1 chief, urged Red Bull to retain him: “We believe Tsunoda has potential… we intend to express our opinion that he will be fully capable of being part of the Red Bull family in 2026.” Speculation swirled around a personal sponsorship extension or even an Aston Martin reserve gig—Silverstone’s Honda alliance from 2026 onward seemed tailor-made. But Aston doused those flames, extending Jak Crawford’s contract and staying mum on Tsunoda links.

Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Visa Cash App RB, Koji Watanabe, President of HRC and Ayumu Iwasa of Japan and Visa Cash App RB pose for a photo in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on April 05, 2024 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

The TPC angle could be key: Red Bull’s reported Honda deal for legacy car testing might carve out a hybrid reserve role for Tsunoda, blending sim work, TPC laps, and emergency cover—keeping him in F1’s orbit without a race harness. Yet, Tsunoda himself poured cold water on reserves last week: “I’m not thinking about that direction, to be honest,” prioritizing a full-time drive. His camp’s reported disappointment—having spurned a Haas offer in 2024 to stay loyal—adds a layer of bitterness.

Beyond F1: IndyCar Whispers and a Fractured Future?

If the reserve rumor solidifies, Tsunoda’s options dwindle. The F1 grid is locked—22 seats spoken for—leaving IndyCar as the siren call. Rumors link him to Dale Coyne Racing, where a vacancy lingers alongside 2025 NXT champ Dennis Hauger. Honda’s Indy dominance (via Andretti) makes it a natural pivot, and timing aligns with Red Bull’s post-Qatar deadline. “With no other known commitments, IndyCar comes up as a possibility,” notes Sportskeeda, though Tsunoda’s heart remains in F1.

Paddock whispers question if Honda can “tip the balance” one last time, per journalist Ronald Vording, but Red Bull’s internal harmony—post-Christian Horner drama—prioritizes youth over sentiment. As Abu Dhabi looms, Tsunoda’s final race could be his most poignant: a chance to shine, perhaps in Verstappen’s service, before the curtain falls on his Red Bull chapter.