Yuki Tsunoda has been handed a boost by Formula 1 fans, with the majority expecting him to not be replaced in the second half of the season.
In a recent RacingNews365 poll, fans were asked to vote for whether the arrival of new team principal Laurent Mekies would improve Tsunoda's odds of remaining a Red Bull driver.
The Japanese star has scored just seven points across his 10 grands prix for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, has suffered multiple Q1 exits and has failed to score a point in the last five rounds.
As a result, it has made many question if he will complete the season for the Austrian outfit. Tsunoda's contract does expire at the end of the campaign.
To add to Tsunoda's woes, Isack Hadjar has been delivering consistent points for Racing Bulls, whilst Liam Lawson has also improved in recent races.
Despite the performances of the Racing Bulls duo, an overwhelming 46.9% of voters believe Mekies' arrival keeps Tsunoda's seat safe for the rest of the season.
Interestingly, 29.4% expect him to even be retained for next year, and the start of the new power unit regulations.
However, should Tsunoda be axed, fans favour a promotion for Hadjar over a return to Red Bull for Lawson.
Check out the full poll results below!
Does Mekies arrival increase chances of Tsunoda staying at Red Bull?
| Option | % of votes |
|---|---|
| Yes - Tsunoda will complete the season | 46.9 |
| Yes - Tsunoda will be kept for 2026 | 29.4 |
| No - Tsunoda will be replaced this season by Hadjar | 14.3 |
| No - Tsunoda will be replaced this season by Lawson | 3.2 |
| Not sure | 6.2 |
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