*** Tsunoda vows to return to F1 grid after ‘tough’ Red Bull axing | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Tsunoda vows to return to F1 grid after ‘tough’ Red Bull axing

AFP | Abu Dhabi

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda said that it was “incredibly tough” to lose his Red Bull seat for next season but has vowed to return to the Formula One grid.

The 25-year-old was on Tuesday replaced by French rookie Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen’s partner at Red Bull for 2026.

Having also been overlooked for a return to sister team Racing Bulls, Tsunoda will become a Red Bull test and reserve driver.

“I’m not finished yet,” he wrote on social media.

“Finding out I won’t have a race seat in 2026 was incredibly tough, but I’m determined to work harder than ever with Red Bull as test and reserve driver, and prove I deserve a place on the grid.”

Tsunoda replaced New Zealand’s Liam Lawson at Red Bull two races into this season, stepping up from Racing Bulls.

Since then, however, Tsunoda has scored 33 points in the world championship compared with Verstappen’s 396.