The Formula 1 world is in disbelief as Yuki Tsunoda’s future takes a devastating turn following shocking announcements from both Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin. Once seen as Japan’s brightest hope in Formula 1, Tsunoda now finds himself teetering on the edge of uncertainty — and possibly, the end of his career.
After being promoted to Red Bull’s main team with high expectations, Tsunoda’s season has spiraled into disappointment. Scoring only 25 points compared to teammate Max Verstappen’s 321, his struggles for pace and consistency have alarmed Red Bull management. Helmut Marko is reportedly pushing to replace him with rising star Isak Hajar, while Team Principal Laurent Mekies continues to defend him, hoping he can rediscover the fire that once made him a fan favorite. But Red Bull is not a team that waits — results matter, and patience is running out.
The blow worsened when Aston Martin announced the promotion of 20-year-old Jack Crawford as their 2026 reserve driver. The move signals a clear shift toward youth and long-term planning, effectively shutting the door on Tsunoda’s expected lifeline with the team. It’s a brutal twist of fate, especially with Honda’s partnership with Aston Martin set to begin in 2026 — a relationship that once seemed destined to secure Tsunoda’s future. Now, that hope has vanished.
With only four races left — Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi — Tsunoda faces the fight of his life. Every lap, every overtake, every finish could determine his career. Red Bull has delayed any official announcement about its 2026 driver lineup, but insiders claim that this grace period is his final audition. Unless he delivers something extraordinary, Tsunoda could soon find himself out of a seat entirely.
Inside Red Bull, the tension is boiling. Young talents like Hajar and Arvid Lindblad are waiting in the wings, ready to pounce. The Red Bull driver program is ruthless — it doesn’t forgive mediocrity, and sentimentality has no place in its philosophy. For Tsunoda, whose fire and honesty have made him a fan favorite, that reality is cruel.
Now, everything comes down to the next few weeks. Tsunoda must rise like never before — outperform rivals, silence critics, and remind the world why he was chosen in the first place. If he fails, this could mark the end of his F1 journey, his potential snuffed out before it ever truly bloomed.
👉 Four races. One shot. No mistakes. For Yuki Tsunoda, it’s now or never. ⏳
