Yuki Tsunoda makes F1 vow following Red Bull race seat axe

Yuki Tsunoda has vowed to prove he is still worthy of a place on the Formula 1 grid after losing his race seat with Red Bull this week.

After five seasons in F1 with the Red Bull family, and following nearly a full campaign this year with the senior team, it was confirmed on Tuesday that Tsunoda is out in 2026.

Red Bull has opted not to dispense with the services of the Japanese driver entirely, as Tsunoda will serve as test and reserve driver next season, understudying Max Verstappen and the newly promoted Isack Hadjar.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies and advisor Helmut Marko were left with a tough call over the race seats for 2026 at both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.

Alongside promoting Hadjar, it opted to continue with Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, with the New Zealander joined by 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad.

Tsunoda has conceded that when informed of the decision made by Mekies and Marko, it was hard to swallow, but he has issued a defiant message.

Taking to social media, Tsunoda said: "Finding out I won’t have a race seat in 2026 was incredibly tough.

"But I’m determined to work harder than ever with Red Bull as test and reserve driver to develop with the team, and prove I deserve a place on the grid.

"Life’s full of setbacks, and this is mine. It’s not going to deter me from being the best F1 driver I can be."

Check out Tsunoda's social post below, and also vote in our poll as to what his next move should be.