After a difficult 2025 that cost him a race seat, Yuki Tsunoda says he is working to return to a full-time Formula 1 drive and will serve as Red Bull’s test and reserve driver in 2026 while targeting a comeback. The former Racing Bulls driver remains on the books at Red Bull Racing, stays close to the team at every grand prix, and keeps his name in the frame. Suzuka and Red Bull prospect Isack Hadjar feature in his 2026 plans too, as a changed test schedule shapes his path.
Tsunoda chose not to race full-time anywhere this season. That makes him the only driver from last year’s F1 grid not competing in 2026. He travels to every race with Red Bull and supports the team’s preparation work. He spends time in the simulator to help with set-up work and development tasks between events. The role keeps him race ready if a call comes and keeps him visible to team bosses across the paddock.
Red Bull had planned for Tsunoda to complete Pirelli’s tire test at Suzuka. The plan changed. Junior driver Isack Hadjar will run the RB22 for the two days instead. The switch does not change Tsunoda’s focus. He remains on site with the race team, continues his simulator duties in Milton Keynes, and follows the test program to support Red Bull’s workload. Staying present at a track like Suzuka, where teams gather valuable tire data, still feeds into his day-to-day work with engineers.
Tsunoda has been clear about his approach. He wants to stay visible around the paddock and focus on self-improvement during his downtime. He says he will not give up on a return to the grid. That means being ready for opportunities, maintaining race fitness, and contributing to Red Bull’s programs that shape car understanding and run plans. The reserve job lets him keep contact with decision-makers while he works on the areas he believes will help him when a seat opens.
The choice to forgo a drive outside F1 this year was a trade-off. Many sidelined drivers look to stay sharp in other series, but Tsunoda prioritized his Red Bull duties and constant presence at F1 events. He accepted a season without wheel-to-wheel racing to be in the garage, in the debriefs, and in the simulator. He believes that is the best way to show teams he can slot back into a seat without a long adaptation period.
His path back could begin sooner than a full-time deal. As Red Bull’s test and reserve driver, Tsunoda is available to step in for Red Bull-owned squads in 2026 if needed. That includes short-notice race stand-ins when a regular driver is unavailable. This option gives him a practical route to log race miles and prove form under current regulations. Even one or two outings can help a driver rebuild momentum and provide fresh data points for team managers.
The long-term target is a full-time return, with 2027 as the aim. Framing it this way gives him a clear timeline to prepare while staying engaged with the 2026 season. The work includes simulator laps that mirror race weekends, time with Red Bull engineers to translate feedback into setup choices, and learning from trackside operations. It also keeps his face and name around team principals, sporting directors, and technical staff who make hiring calls.
The Suzuka test change highlights the shifting nature of reserve life. Plans can move, and opportunities can pass to younger prospects like Hadjar. Tsunoda’s response is to remain present, do the work, and be ready for the next task Red Bull puts in front of him. He is betting that consistency and visibility, paired with his prior race experience, will put him back on the grid when a seat matches his goals.
For now he will keep traveling to every round, keep logging simulator days, and keep himself available for a stand-in chance in 2026. The comeback he wants points to 2027, and his year as Red Bull’s reserve is built to make that happen.