Defiant Tsunoda declares, 'I'm not done yet.'
"Life is filled with challenges, and this is mine."
Yuki Tsunoda has spoken out following the announcement of his loss of a Formula 1 race seat for 2026, pledging to fight his way back onto the grid as Red Bull assigns him to a test and reserve role. The Japanese driver will participate in his final grand prix this weekend in Abu Dhabi after Red Bull selected rookie Isack Hadjar to team up with Max Verstappen for the next season.
Team principal Laurent Mekies commended Tsunoda for his five seasons within Red Bull's F1 program, noting that he has "matured into a complete racer" with "exceptional race craft," and emphasized that he is still a valued member of the organization’s projects for 2026. The Frenchman remarked, "Everyone in the sport would agree that it’s impossible not to like Yuki. His personality is infectious, and he has become a very special part of the Red Bull family."
Tsunoda shared a brief and determined response on social media. "I’m not done yet," the 25-year-old stated. "Learning that I won't have a race seat in 2026 was incredibly hard, but I'm committed to working harder than ever with Red Bull as a test and reserve driver to grow with the team and show that I deserve a spot on the grid.
"Life is full of challenges, and this is mine. It won't stop me from striving to be the best F1 driver I can be," Tsunoda concluded.
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