1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Yuki Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull is a “big question mark” heading into the second half of 2025.
Tsunoda finally won a Red Bull chance in the 2025 F1 campaign in three races, replacing Liam Lawson with the Japanese Grand Prix.
Like his predecessor, the Tsunami struggles with pace and is behind his teammate Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda scored just three points for Red Bull and finished in the ninth or lower.
His latest round at Silverstone was another low point for Tsunoda after he was last finished.
Even if Verstappen leaves the team, it appears unlikely that Tsunoda will hold his drive next year.
Villeneuve admitted that Zonodha is a “good driver,” but he is not “exceptional.”
“How long will the Hornadas stay in Red Bull are another big question mark,” he told the official F1 website.
“He was pushing hard from a small team to a big team. He’s a good driver, but you have to be exceptional… You have to be Luis, you have to be Fernando (Alonso), you have to be Piastri or Norris.”
Will Tsunoda be on the grid in 2026?
If Yuki Tsunoda is dropped by Red Bull, it seems unlikely that he will be on the grid in 2026.
According to various reports, if Verstappen stays, Isack Hadjar will likely be his teammate.
Lawson will remain in the Racing Bulls alongside the current F2 star Arvid Lindblad.
Lindblad has been highly rated by the Red Bull Bosses and drove towards the FP1 team at the UK Grand Prix.
Tsunoda will need to move up the form to secure his seat next year.
Once Laurent Mekies arrives as a team principal, he can be welcomed.
However, seating elsewhere is largely filled.
Cadillac became the 11th team in Formula 1 in 2026, and is heavily linked to Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
Or Mick Schumacher revealed that he is talking positively with the American team.