Tsunoda back on the grid after emergency call-up

Yuki Tsunoda will return to the Formula 1 grid at the Dutch Grand Prix after a late change to Red Bull’s driver line-up. Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury forced Red Bull to promote Liam Lawson to its senior team, leaving a vacancy at Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad.

Tsunoda, who lost his full-time seat at the end of last season, has been working as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull and Racing Bulls. He received the call while in Greece and had less than two days to prepare for his return in the current-generation car.

“Since the season started, I’ve been dying to be in the car and compete with the drivers,” Tsunoda said. “I think this moment I will just enjoy, and obviously give my 100% performance.”

The Japanese driver has completed several testing sessions but acknowledged that the Dutch Grand Prix will be his first race in this car. He said his immediate focus is to enjoy the opportunity and deliver a strong performance, while the length of his return will depend on Hadjar’s recovery.

“It’s always better to drive and show what I can do, rather than just talk,” Tsunoda said. “I’ll use the race to show something good about myself.”

Racing Bulls have recently moved ahead of Alpine into fifth in the constructors’ standings and are targeting the position of best of the rest. That gives Tsunoda a demanding but valuable chance to demonstrate his pace, race understanding and adaptability.

With seats for the 2027 season already becoming scarce, Tsunoda admitted he would like to secure a full-time return but said that decision was outside his control for now. His immediate opportunity is a one-off appearance — and a rare chance to make his case on track rather than from the reserve-driver role.