Inside the Shuffle: Red Bull Dethrones Tsunoda, Charts a 2026 Comeback Plan

Background of the Decision

Laurent Mekies, the head of Oracle Red Bull Racing, described the decision to strip Yuki Tsunoda from his race seat as "extremely tough" while expressing belief that the 25-year-old Japanese driver can return to the track in the future. The change followed Sergio Perez's departure at the end of 2024 and Liam Lawson's promotion to join Max Verstappen, though Lawson's early-season struggles prompted a reshuffle that moved Tsunoda back into contention with Red Bull Racing.

What Changed and Why

Last season was not easy for Tsunoda, who finished 17th in the drivers' standings, with his best result a sixth place in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. It was later confirmed that Tsunoda will be replaced by French driver Isaq Khajar for the 2026 season, with the Japanese driver moving to a testing and reserve role for both Red Bull and Red Bull Racing. Mekies stressed that the decision was not easy and that the team remains supportive, hoping Tsunoda will earn another full-time seat in the future. He recalled a late-2024 moment when Tsunoda drove brilliantly, yet had to accept Liam Lawson’s promotion; the winter meant renewed focus on raising the team’s goals. He said: "We can’t always predict what the future holds; we are known for making quick driver decisions." He added that "three races later, he was in the Oracle Red Bull program," underscoring Tsunoda’s potential to return to a lead role.

He concluded: "No one can predict the future, but I am confident Yuki has the qualities to earn another chance at a main seat."

Further, Mekies explained why this direction feels right for the team’s long-term plans and how the organization will continue to support Tsunoda on his road back. "No one knows what the future holds. We’re known for swift driver decisions, and this is part of the sport’s reality." He recalled a pivotal moment from late 2024 when Tsunoda drove exceptionally well and had to grapple with Liam Lawson’s upgrade. The winter break offered a moment to reset ambitions, and three races into the new era, Tsunoda found himself back in a critical position within the Oracle Red Bull setup.

"We set clear goals to extract the maximum from the package and to aim higher," Mekies said. "I’m sure Yuki will get another opportunity in the future. He will be with us as a reserve next season."

He added that the reasons behind the decision stem from the team’s long-term outlook and the need to balance performance with development. "We can’t predict everything that lies ahead, but we can control the strategy and the pace at which we adapt to new challenges."

Two punchlines to keep things light: 1) In F1, turning a corner often means turning a seat, too—just don’t forget your seatbelt when the driver changes. 2) Yuki’s future is bright; if not in 2026, then as a backup plan that even the pit crew wouldn’t skip a coffee for.