Tsunoda's F1 Rollercoaster: From Stunning Debut to Reserve Role

Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver who captured attention with his explosive Formula 1 debut in 2021, finds himself in an unfamiliar position in 2026 – serving as a reserve driver for Red Bull and Racing Bulls after losing his full-time race seat at the end of the 2025 season. In an exclusive interview with F1.com during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Tsunoda reflected on his journey, the emotional challenges he's faced, and his burning desire to return to the grid.

A Dream Debut That Set High Expectations

Tsunoda's F1 career began in spectacular fashion at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix. "It started very well – almost too well," he recalls. "In the pre-season test I was P2 overall, just a few milliseconds off Max [Verstappen], in an AlphaTauri. Then in the first Qualifying session, Q1, Lap 1, I made it through on one set of tyres, and I was next to Lewis [Hamilton]. I felt like a hero!"

His performance earned immediate recognition from F1 veterans. Ross Brawn wrote in his post-race column: "I'm really impressed. He is the best rookie F1 has had for years, having been fairly stunning in whatever series he has competed in. His promotion by Red Bull looks like a brilliant move."

The Struggle for Consistency and Emotional Control

As his rookie season progressed, Tsunoda struggled to balance his raw speed with consistency. "Emotional control was probably one of my weakest points when I started in F1," he admits. "At the track, there was a lot of emotion from me to the guys on the radio, and to the engineers. Initially it was okay, but it started to get a bit too much."

Tsunoda describes the personal transformation required: "I almost had to change my personality. It took a little bit of time, but I think from the fourth year, in 2024, I adapted pretty well. I was able to achieve the level that I wanted to be at in terms of emotional control, and I had a strong season."

The Red Bull Dream and Reality Check

After an "outstanding" 2024 campaign, Tsunoda found himself in the frame for a Red Bull promotion – only to see Liam Lawson get the seat initially. His opportunity came just two rounds later when Lawson struggled alongside Verstappen. Tsunoda's debut with the top team came at his home Grand Prix in Japan, which he describes as "definitely the biggest highlight in my life."

However, the 2025 season proved challenging. "After Japan, it was definitely the toughest season in my career, and in my life," he shares. A huge Qualifying crash at Imola, where his 2021 season had also gone awry, marked a turning point. Despite showing flashes of potential with points finishes in the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Austin, and Qatar, he couldn't match Verstappen's pace and lost the seat to Red Bull's next prospect, Isack Hadjar.

Finding Perspective and Personal Growth

The difficult season forced Tsunoda to look inward. "I learned quite a lot about myself, I went through a lot of things... I think as a human I grew a lot more, like personality-wise," he reflects. "I started to think about myself, and definitely, without that season, it wouldn't have given me that kind of solution."

This mindset shift helped him handle his demotion to reserve driver duties. "Surprisingly, it was okay... I felt normal," he says about the transition.

Preparing for a Comeback

Despite not having a race seat, Tsunoda has maintained rigorous preparation. "Now is probably the best shape I've been in in my life... I think physically, in terms of numbers, it's even better than last year," he reveals. "I'm definitely happy with my shape, and I just need some laps for my muscles to get used to driving again."

Watching races from the sidelines has been particularly challenging. "It was pretty tough to watch, actually, the race week in Australia. Watching from the screen was definitely something... different," he admits. "At the same time, I was able to recognise how much I care about this sport, and how hungry I am to get back in a seat."

Looking Forward with Determination

Tsunoda acknowledges the uncertainty of his future but remains focused on what he can control. "I'm not thinking too much about the future, because it's not in my control," he says. "It's more always thinking about how I can extract the [most from the] day, even the day that obviously you're not in the best position."

The Japanese driver emphasizes the importance of staying visible in the paddock: "I think showing my face, not just at Red Bull but in the general paddock, is quite important. I want to still... I'm not giving up on driving in F1."

As he navigates his reserve role, Tsunoda has found silver linings in having more time for personal growth: "When you're in an F1 season, you can't really focus on yourself, but now I have time to think about myself, to kind of spend time to myself, and to be in a happy moment."

For now, the 25-year-old remains ready for any opportunity that might come his way, physically and mentally prepared to return to the grid he clearly misses and is determined to reclaim.