Tsunoda‘s Red Bull Future in Doubt After Singapore Setback

Singapore – Yuki Tsunoda’s aspirations to solidify his position within the Red Bull Racing institution have encountered significant turbulence. A perplexing downturn in qualifying performance, coupled with a first-lap incident at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, has cast a shadow over his prospects as the team nears crucial driver decisions for the 2026 season.

Recent Performance and Championship Standing

Recent races have seen a marked improvement from the Red Bull Racing team, headlined by dominant performances from World Champion Max Verstappen. However, Tsunoda’s contributions haven’t matched this upward trajectory. Verstappen secured victories in two of the preceding three races, including a second-place finish in singapore, while Tsunoda’s earlier promising weekend in Baku has yet to be consistently replicated. Currently, the Japanese racer sits 17th in the driver’s championship, tied on points with Pierre gasly of Alpine.

Singapore Grand Prix Disappointment

tsunoda had prioritized enhancing his long-run race performance, a goal that showed promise in Singapore. Unfortunately, a compromised qualifying session and a chaotic opening lap ultimately negated any potential gains. He plummeted from 13th on the grid to 17th after the first lap,severely hindering his race. Despite recovering to 12th place, he was unable to secure any championship points, being overtaken by Carlos Sainz, who started in 18th position.

Expressing his frustration, Tsunoda described his start as the worst of his career, citing a lack of space and constant obstruction from other drivers. He acknowledged the need to identify areas for improvement, particularly regarding his initial race phase.

Grip and qualifying Struggles

Despite the challenging race, Tsunoda believes his underlying race pace demonstrates improvement, offering a glimmer of optimism for the upcoming races in the Americas. He emphasized that he is now consistently competitive with the frontrunners, a significant change from earlier in the season. Though, he pinpointed a persistent issue with grip during qualifying as a major obstacle.

“I think just putting it all together with a one lap pace and the long run is the key,” stated Tsunoda, adding that achieving this balance is his primary objective.

Team Assessment and Future Outlook

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged Tsunoda’s struggles in qualifying, stating that the team is actively investigating the root cause. While praising his race recovery, Mekies emphasized the need for improvement on Saturdays to maximize overall weekend performance.

The situation is further intricate by speculation surrounding potential replacements for Tsunoda, with Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad both vying for a future role within the Red Bull organization. This adds pressure on Tsunoda to deliver consistent results and demonstrate his value to the team.

Here’s a rapid comparison of Tsunoda’s recent performance:

What do you think Tsunoda needs to do to secure his future with Red Bull? Share your thoughts in the comments below!