Yuki Tsunoda outlines 'enormous' motivation despite Red Bull seat axe

Yuki Tsunoda has outlined that his motivation level for next year is “enormous”, despite having lost his seat at Red Bull.

Tsunoda has been replaced for 2026 by Isack Hadjar, who has earned a promotion from Racing Bulls following an impressive rookie campaign.

As for the Japanese driver, he will take on Red Bull’s test and reserve role for the first year of F1’s new power unit regulations, leaving him off the grid.

Tsunoda was last absent from the grid in 2020, with his rookie season coming in 2021 at AlphaTauri. Losing his seat had begun to look inevitable after scoring just 33 points across 22 rounds.

However, falling completely off the grid was unfortunate, as Tsunoda found himself in direct competition with Liam Lawson for a place at the sister team.

Ultimately, Lawson was handed a contract to remain with Racing Bulls for 2026, leaving Tsunoda to look to the future in the hope of a return to the pinnacle of motorsport.

While the 25-year-old is disappointed by what has happened, he remains adamant that his motivation going forward is undiminished.

"I'm only 25, so I still have a lot of room to grow," Tsunoda told the Japanese branch of DAZN. "This is just the beginning. 

"Maybe a new chapter is about to begin, but I'm curious to see how I can develop from here. 

"I'll have the opportunity to see things I didn't see before, to learn from a different perspective, and I'm looking forward to that. My motivation for next year is enormous."