In the high-octane, cutthroat world of Formula 1, silence often speaks louder than words. But occasionally, a driver says just enough to shatter the facade of corporate PR, revealing the raw, human stakes behind the visor. This weekend, ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda delivered one of those moments.
In a candid and arguably somber interview that has since set social media ablaze, the Japanese driver appeared to confirm what has been an “open secret” in the paddock for weeks: his time as a Red Bull Racing driver—and perhaps as a Formula 1 driver entirely—is coming to an end.
The Admission: “Most People Know It”
The atmosphere in the Red Bull garage has been charged with tension as the 2025 season draws to a close. With Max Verstappen fighting tooth and nail for his fifth World Championship against the surging McLarens, the question of who will partner him in 2026 has been the elephant in the room.
When asked directly if the decision regarding the 2026 lineup was weighing on his mind, Tsunoda’s response was a masterclass in resigned honesty.
“No, not really,” Tsunoda began, his voice devoid of the fiery defiance that once defined his career. “I think I know something that I can’t share obviously with you guys, but probably most of people knows it. So actually, I’m [of a] similar understanding with you guys.”
The statement struck a chord immediately. By suggesting that “most people know it,” Tsunoda seemed to validate the swirling rumors that Red Bull management has decided to look elsewhere for 2026, likely pivoting to their rookie sensation, Isack Hadjar, who has dazzled in the sister Racing Bulls team this year. For Tsunoda, who was promoted to the main Red Bull seat only earlier this season in a high-stakes swap with Sergio Perez, this admission feels like a concession of defeat.
“No Plan B”: The High-Wire Act
Perhaps the most alarming part of the interview came when the interviewer pressed Tsunoda on his safety net. In a sport where contracts are often signed years in advance, driving without a backup plan is career suicide. Yet, when asked if he had a “Plan B” for his future, Tsunoda was blunt.
“No, not really,” he confessed. “I’m only thinking about this race… It’s not made yet and [it’s] still in my hands.”
This contradiction—claiming the decision is “still in his hands” while simultaneously admitting “everyone knows” the outcome—paints a picture of a driver trying to keep his focus amidst a crumbling reality. With Honda set to sever ties with the Red Bull family to power Aston Martin in 2026, and Aston Martin’s seats firmly occupied, the door to a “Honda lifeboat” appears shut. If Red Bull drops him, Yuki Tsunoda could be facing a future outside of Formula 1 entirely.
A Season of Struggle and “What Ifs”
To understand the weight of Tsunoda’s words, one must look at the context of his 2025 campaign. It was supposed to be his dream season. After years of paying his dues at AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls), Tsunoda finally got the call-up to the senior team after Sergio Perez’s performance collapsed early in the year.
However, the dream quickly turned into a relentless challenge. While the RB21 is a championship-contending car in Verstappen’s hands, Tsunoda has struggled to extract consistent performance from it, managing only a handful of top-ten finishes since his mid-season promotion. Sitting 17th in the driver standings is simply not enough for a Red Bull driver, regardless of the circumstances.
Critics have pointed out that while his raw speed is undeniable, the consistency required to support a title fight has been lacking. The rise of Isack Hadjar, who has arguably outperformed expectations in the inferior Racing Bulls machinery, has only accelerated the narrative that Red Bull is ready to usher in the next generation.
The Max Factor: Bromance Amidst the Business
Despite the gloomy career outlook, the interview offered a glimpse of the genuine bond that remains between Tsunoda and his teammate, Max Verstappen. In a moment that has already gone viral, Verstappen interrupts the heavy interview with a burst of chaotic energy, demanding, “Max, come over here! Do a flip!”
The ensuing interaction, playful and brotherly, stands in stark contrast to the brutal business decisions happening behind closed doors. It serves as a reminder that while they are competitors, they are also peers who have shared the trenches of a grueling 24-race season.
Tsunoda’s strategy for his potential final races is simple: be the ultimate team player. “I’ll try to support Max as possible,” Tsunoda stated. “If I [am] able to achieve that, that will naturally be positive… for my future.”
It is a selfless approach. Knowing his own seat is likely lost, Tsunoda is dedicating his remaining energy to ensuring Verstappen secures the Drivers’ Championship. It is a mature, dignified stance from a driver often criticized in the past for his emotional outbursts.
The “Open Secret” Revealed?
So, what is the “open secret” Tsunoda referred to? Most paddock insiders believe the decision has already been signed: Isack Hadjar to Red Bull Racing alongside Verstappen for 2026, with Liam Lawson potentially anchoring the Racing Bulls lineup.
For Tsunoda, the path forward is murky. Could a reserve role keep him in the paddock? Would a move to the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a Japanese manufacturer beckon? Or is there a shock twist left in the driver market?
The Final Lap
As the sun sets on the 2025 season in Abu Dhabi, Yuki Tsunoda cuts a sympathetic figure. He achieved what few drivers ever do—a seat in a championship-winning car—but found the summit to be more treacherous than the climb.
His “low-key admission” is a rare moment of vulnerability in a sport built on ego and bravado. If this is indeed the end of Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull journey, he is leaving with his head held high, his humor intact, and a loyalty to his team that persists even as the door closes.
For the fans, the “Plan B” question remains the most haunting. We watch these gladiators risk everything on Sunday, often forgetting that on Monday, they are simply employees fighting for their livelihoods. Yuki Tsunoda just reminded us all of the human cost of life in the fast lane.
