Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda Speaks Out Amid Sack Talk

Yuki Tsunoda has issued a statement amid rumours about his position at Red Bull being under serious threat.

Red Bull are poised to make huge changes for the 2026 season, where new regulations will be brought in to have a seismic impact on the grid.

Max Verstappen will still be at the centre of the Red Bull project after confirming he will be staying put, but changes are expected elsewhere.

One recent report described it as an "open secret" that Isack Hadjar will be Verstappen's teammate, stepping up from sister side Racing Bulls after achieving his first ever podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Rumours have claimed that Yuki Tsunoda could be replaced at Red Bull. Image: Getty

Also in the reshuffle, those high up at Red Bull are looking to give 18-year-old British-born Arvid Lindblad an opportunity in F1.

He signed with the junior team back in 2021 and is currently racing in F2, but is likely to progress to F1 with Racing Bulls next season.

That would mean one of Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, who swapped positions between Red Bull and Racing Bulls two races into the 2025 campaign, would be relieved of their duties.

In July, a report from GPBlog said that Tsunoda is in line to get the boot after collecting a mere 12 points in the current campaign.

His contract is due to expire soon and he could be the unlucky driver, with only four cockpits available.

Tsunoda responds to speculation about future

However, the Japanese driver is unnerved by recent speculation about Hadjar potentially taking his place.

"I'm just focused on what I can do," he told Sky Sports, directly addressing the rumours for the first time.

"It doesn't matter. Rumours are rumours. It's not the facts. Let them enjoy the rumours, and I will just stick with it anyway."

"I don't expect anything. It's not my job - talking to the teams and everything. My only job is to drive fast and make results."

Asked whether he may need to speak to other teams ahead of new term, he added: "I'll leave those things to my people, my team - that's what they are specifically there for. I want to focus on myself, driving and making progress each race.

"I'll keep doing that and let people do their jobs."

Red Bull were the victors last time out at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, with Verstappen delivering an excellent race to beat Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

Next up in the F1 calendar is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on Sunday.