Source:REUTERS/Go Nakamura
[Saba Sports News] Last weekend, Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese Formula 1 driver, appeared at the Suzuka Circuit as the reserve driver for Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri. He stated that he had no regrets about choosing to step back into a reserve role for 2026, insisting it was a deliberate decision he made to stay in the F1 paddock.Tsunoda said that if he had wanted to race, he could have signed with other teams. In a sense, he chose to step aside temporarily, a decision based on his own racing career, so he felt no regret. He noted that his current duties include supporting the team both at the track and in the simulator, with specific responsibilities differing between Red Bull’s main team and its junior team.Looking ahead, Tsunoda clearly stated his goal of returning to the F1 grid. He hopes to take over Max Verstappen’s race seat at Red Bull in 2027. Last season, Tsunoda lost his race seat after consistently failing to match the pace of his teammate Verstappen. This year, rookie Isack Hadjar has partnered with Verstappen and delivered impressive performances.
In the author’s view, Tsunoda’s aim is to return as a full-time F1 race driver and continue racing for Red Bull when the opportunity arises. This is a normal career path for professional drivers and should not be equated with “wanting to replace Verstappen.” Interpreting his ambition as “replacing” is an overreach and inconsistent with the humble and pragmatic tone of his public statements.