Yuki Tsunoda explains Red Bull 'ban' over new F1 seat talks

Yuki Tsunoda has revealed his Red Bull contract restricted him from having talks with outside parties for a 2026 race seat.

Tsunoda struggled for form after joining Red Bull two rounds into the campaign, leading to heavy speculation over his future.

Red Bull confirmed its 2026 line-up earlier this week, promoting Isack Hadjar in place of Tsunoda.

Tsunoda will carry out test and reserve driver duties for the team as he was also denied a seat at the sister Racing Bulls squad.

The Japanese driver claimed interest was shown in him from other parties - however, he did not specify if this was within F1 or another race series.

But according to Tsunoda, any chance of a move elsewhere was stopped by the terms of his Red Bull deal.

“The thing is, my contract was there, so I couldn’t do much,” Tsunoda told media including RacingNews365.

“I had a couple of interests from externally, but the contract didn’t really allow me to talk with them, or whatever.

“That’s why I was fully focused on the Red Bull seat. Anyway, it was my priority for the last few years. The Red Bull family is the place I grew up.”

Tsunoda revealed he found out he would not have a seat on the F1 grid in 2026 straight after the Qatar race.

As he prepares for what could be his final weekend in F1, Tsunoda admitted the realisation has not quite hit him yet.

“It’s tough,” Tsunoda said. “It was right after the race from Helmut.

“Surprisingly, I’m OK. Not OK, but I’m surviving OK. The [next] morning I ordered breakfast as usual, same food.

“Probably I’m not recognising that it’s going to be the last race for this and next year. Maybe I will feel it more after Abu Dhabi.”