Tsunoda 'nervous' about Red Bull F1 future as decision looms

Yuki Tsunoda has admitted he is nervous about his Formula 1 future as a final announcement of Red Bull's 2026 driver line-up is still not forthcoming.

Red Bull is widely expected to promote standout Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar to the main team next year as Max Verstappen's new partner, with 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad set to be promoted to Racing Bulls. That decision would leave either Tsunoda or Liam Lawson out in the cold.

Red Bull initially vowed to make its decision by the end of November, but it has since said that its final call could now be delayed until Abu Dhabi, suggesting that perhaps the organisation isn't fully convinced yet about what it wants to do with its fourth F1 seat.

That uncertainty means Tsunoda is heading into the season closing triple-header of Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi without any confirmation of whether or not it will be his last for the foreseeable future.

"If I say I'm not nervous, that would be a lie," Tsunoda said in the Las Vegas paddock. "It's just a similar situation as last year or even two years ago, so to be honest, I got used to it. That's part of this Formula 1.

"The good thing is I had experience with that situation a lot of times. I know what I have to do for the next few races. In the end, those decisions I can't control, right? So, what I can control is to give the performance and give my best. That's what I enjoy, that's what I'm here for, so that's what I'm going to do.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

"Obviously, I'm sure there's some bit of nerves. It's there, outside of racing especially. But at the same time, one of my strengths is that once I have my helmet on, I just forget everything and am able to enjoy this Vegas scenery."

The best way Tsunoda can help himself and the team is by putting some points on the board in Las Vegas, as Mercedes' strong Brazil weekend has seen it take a healthy lead on Red Bull in the fight for second in the constructors' championship.

"There's still this hope. I'll do as much as I can in that, whether it's helping Max or the constructors'. Being as close as possible to Max in qualifying is probably the main thing. That's what I have to do," he said.

"Mexico was clearly a race that we know it would've been points with a beautiful pitstop. In Brazil it was definitely my fault that in the first lap I hit the front wing.

"But still, the pace was good. The most important thing is that the team knows it. It's better than [if] the pace is not there at all. But I know that I also have to step up a little bit more in qualifying."