Yuki Tsunoda makes F1 return pledge amid 'tough' sideline role

Yuki Tsunoda has insisted he is working on making a full-time return to the F1 grid following his Red Bull demotion.

The Japanese driver is carrying out reserve driver duties for the Milton Keynes-based squad this year after a challenging campaign in the race seat in 2025.

Tsunoda was placed alongside Max Verstappen shortly after the start of the season following four years at Racing Bulls, but struggled to get near the pace produced by the four-time champion.

He is on hand to step in at both Red Bull-owned squads should he be required at any race weekend in 2026.

However, Tsunoda detailed that his primary focus is working on securing a seat that will allow him to race in a permanent capacity on the grid once again.

“I think showing my face, not just at Red Bull but in the general paddock, is quite important,” Tsunoda told F1.com. 

“I’m not giving up on driving in F1. Rather than going to other series and racing… That’s also partly good, because you’ll be sharp, but at the same time, you don’t know what’s going on in F1 very much.”

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Tsunoda admits watching F1 from sidelines 'tough'

The new F1 campaign got underway earlier this month at the Australian Grand Prix, with Tsunoda watching on from the Red Bull garage.

Tsunoda's break from racing is the first time he has endured a sideline role, and he admitted it was difficult to witness his peers race while he looked on. 

“It was pretty tough to watch, actually, the race week in Australia,” he said. “Watching from the screen was definitely something… different. 

“I was okay at the Bahrain test, but race week was a different story, and it was really tough. At the same time, I was able to recognise how much I care about this sport, and how hungry I am to get back in a seat.”

Despite the setback, Tsunoda highlighted he is ensuring he can still improve himself as a competitor despite not being a consistent figure behind the wheel.

“But I’m not thinking too much about the future, because it’s not in my control,” he said. “It’s more always thinking about how I can extract the [most from the] day, even the day that obviously you’re not in the best position. 

“For example, watching from the screen is not the best position, but you can still do something.

“I’m also focusing on myself, to be in a place that I’m happy with. When you’re in an F1 season, you can’t really focus on yourself, but now I have time to think about myself, to kind of spend time to myself, and to be in a happy moment.”