I want to stay within Red Bull in F1 2026

Yuki Tsunoda insists his first precedence is to stay part of Crimson Bull’s Method 1 programme in 2026 even when no emptiness opens up at its main workforce.

Tsunoda is because of enter his fifth season in F1 with the squad now working below the Racing Bulls banner, having made his debut with the workforce below its AlphaTauri guise in 2021.

Nonetheless, Christian Horner warned in December that Tsunoda’s tenure on the power drinks big may very well be coming to an finish, as he questioned whether or not it could “make sense” to maintain him in 2026 if there was no probability of him touchdown a seat at Crimson Bull.

Crimson Bull’s partnership with Honda can also be concluding after the 2025 season, with the Japanese producer having initially introduced its resolution to go away F1 earlier than finishing a U-turn and signing an engine provide cope with rival outfit Aston Martin.

As such, staying inside Crimson Bull might imply Tsunoda shall be parting methods with a producer that has backed his profession from its early days, though the Japanese big has advised it’ll maintain supporting him even when he is not competing with a Honda engine.

However the 24-year-old revealed that his “predominant goal” is to proceed his affiliation with the power drinks agency, whether or not meaning staying at Racing Bulls or being promoted to its predominant workforce alongside world champion Max Verstappen.

“It relies upon upon my efficiency, [like] each season,” he mentioned of his future. “Clearly, I want to keep on the Crimson Bull household. 

“If I am at Red Bull Racing, that is superb. If not, nonetheless I might nonetheless like to be a part of this workforce [Racing Bulls]. I have been on this workforce [for] 5 years already. I am in all probability [the] most [longest-serving] driver on this workforce.

“I already really feel like I am linked to each particular person, which is for me essential as a driver to develop myself and deal with what I wish to do. 

“I really feel numerous help from them, which suggests quite a bit to me. No matter occurs there’s going to be fascinating choices, however clearly my predominant goal is to be on this workforce, the Crimson Bull household.”

Tsunoda was in competition for a Crimson Bull drive for 2025 following the workforce’s resolution to drop Sergio Perez as a consequence of a scarcity of outcomes.

The Japanese driver even examined the automobile in Abu Dhabi final yr within the hope of gaining one of the crucial coveted seats on the grid, just for Crimson Bull to snub him in favour of Liam Lawson.

Kiwi racer Lawson had impressed Crimson Bull throughout two substitute stints with AlphaTauri/RB in 2023 and ‘24 as substitute for Daniel Ricciardo, however his lack of F1 expertise in comparison with Tsunoda meant that the general public opinion was cut up over the choice.

Talking concerning the matter, Tsunoda mentioned he wasn’t “indignant or disillusioned” when he realized about Crimson Bull’s alternative and is trying ahead to main the rebranded Racing Bulls squad this yr, as rookie Isack Hadjar joins him as a team-mate after two years in Method 2.

“I’ve already form of parked final yr’s issues [out of the way], it has been away from my head,” he mentioned. 

“The second they formally introduced it, I did not really feel tremendous, tremendous indignant or disillusioned. I used to be ready within my head sooner or later. 

“In the long run if I’m going to Racing Bulls, VCARB or Crimson Bull, the issues I’ve to do are the identical. Each methods you are able to do fairly cool initiatives anyway. 

“Possibly if I used to be at Crimson Bull, I might be team-mates with Max, which isn’t straightforward. However on the identical time, it is a cool factor and you’ll show your self at a unique stage. 

“Even with VCARB it is various things that I’ve by no means in all probability skilled able like that, extra like management, and I additionally should develop myself extra. 

“So, I feel I’ll stick with what I am doing. I perceive why they selected Liam and it’s what it’s. There are issues I can not management, and I respect that. 

“I positively nonetheless have hope this season. I simply maintain targeted on what I’ve to do, I received to show myself that I deserve [to be] in Method 1.”