Tsunoda remains a contender for a seat in 2026 - Schumacher

      "It could potentially change the narrative"

      26 September 2025 - 07:45

      Ralf Schumacher has revised his earlier assertion that Yuki Tsunoda’s career with Red Bull is "definitely" over, conceding that the Japanese driver’s enhanced showing in Baku has kept him in the running for 2026. Just weeks prior, the ex-F1 driver had stated that Tsunoda would "definitely" be replaced by Isack Hadjar at the season's conclusion, but in a conversation with Sky Deutschland, he recognized that the situation has evolved.

      "Tsunoda’s performance in Baku could potentially change the narrative," Schumacher remarked. "At this moment, I’d still lean towards Hadjar, but the team may still have interest in Tsunoda. (Laurent) Mekies, with his interpersonal skills, can make a difference. He has known Yuki for some time. A few races back, I believed both he and (Liam) Lawson would lose their spots on their current teams."

      Schumacher praised Mekies’ leadership since he took over the senior team after Christian Horner’s departure. "You can sense the atmosphere there now," he noted. "He serves as both technical director and team principal. That’s the future for Formula 1," he stated.

      He also mentioned that Red Bull is fortunate to have many options. "The team boasts a strong lineup of drivers. It will be intriguing to see what their decision will be, but they can’t really go wrong," he remarked.

      Mekies himself suggested that Tsunoda remains a viable option. "It’s positive to see Yuki improving his performance - he deserves it," the Frenchman expressed. "That’s why our attitude is relaxed. We have the time. With drivers, their speed doesn’t simply vanish - confidence is crucial. Yuki had a very high level of confidence in Baku, and he executed a strong performance.

      "We won’t wait until Abu Dhabi to decide, but we still have a few races left before making a choice."