Laurent Mekies, the former Racing Bulls team principal who now leads Red Bull Racing, has voiced strong support for Yuki Tsunoda’s return to full-time Formula 1 competition. The Japanese driver, who turns 26 next month, has been relegated to a reserve role for the 2026 season after losing his race seat at the end of 2025.

Tsunoda’s demotion came after a challenging eight-month stint at Red Bull Racing, where he was promoted from Racing Bulls at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix to replace the struggling Liam Lawson. Despite showing flashes of pace—including qualifying fifth at his home race and finishing within four-and-a-half tenths of Max Verstappen once given equal machinery—Tsunoda was ultimately replaced by Isack Hadjar for the 2026 campaign.

The Mekies Endorsement

Mekies, who worked closely with Tsunoda during his three years at Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri), believes the Japanese driver has evolved into a complete racer who merits another opportunity on the grid. Their professional relationship dates back to 2024, when Mekies described Tsunoda’s campaign as « outstanding » and his most complete season to date.

The endorsement carries weight given Mekies’ intimate knowledge of Tsunoda’s development. Under his leadership at Racing Bulls, Tsunoda transformed from an emotional rookie prone to radio outbursts into a team leader capable of providing precise technical feedback and mentoring younger drivers.

« Emotional control was probably one of my weakest points when I started in F1. At the track, there was a lot of emotion from me to the guys on the radio, and to the engineers. I almost had to change my personality. It took a little bit of time, but I think from the fourth year, in 2024, I adapted pretty well. » — Yuki Tsunoda, on his evolution as a driver

The 2025 Rollercoaster

Tsunoda’s 2025 season represented both the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and its abrupt curtailment. His promotion to Red Bull at Suzuka—racing alongside Verstappen at his home Grand Prix—was the culmination of four years of development within the Red Bull junior program.

Initially, the move showed promise. Tsunoda scored points in three of his first four races, including Sprint points in Miami. But a major qualifying crash at Imola destroyed a raft of new parts, forcing him onto older specifications. What followed was a seven-race streak outside the points, punctuated by early qualifying exits that masked his underlying pace.

By season’s end, Tsunoda had recovered to score in the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Austin, and Qatar—including a fifth-place finish in the Qatar Sprint where he outqualified Verstappen for the first time. Yet his Red Bull career ended on a disappointing note at Abu Dhabi, where he finished 14th after receiving a five-second penalty for aggressive defense against Lando Norris.

Life as a Reserve

For the first time since his 2021 debut, Tsunoda is not competing in Formula 1. His 2026 role involves simulator work, debrief attendance, and maintaining physical readiness for potential opportunities. Racing Bulls principal Alan Permane has confirmed Tsunoda will participate in select FP1 sessions to keep his skills sharp.

The transition has not been easy. Tsunoda admitted that watching the Australian Grand Prix from screens rather than the cockpit was « definitely something different » and « really tough. » Yet the experience has crystallized his motivation.

« I was able to recognise how much I care about this sport, and how hungry I am to get back in a seat. I’m not thinking too much about the future, because it’s not in my control. It’s more always thinking about how I can extract the most from the day. » — Yuki Tsunoda, on his mindset for 2026

Pathways Back to the Grid

History offers Tsunoda precedent for a comeback. Alex Albon followed an almost identical trajectory—demoted from Red Bull to reserve, then resurrected at Williams after a year on the sidelines. Valtteri Bottas spent 2025 as Mercedes reserve before securing a Cadillac seat for 2026.

Several avenues could deliver Tsunoda back to full-time racing. Red Bull may recall him if Isack Hadjar struggles alongside Verstappen—a pattern established by Tsunoda’s own elevation when Lawson faltered. Alternatively, his presence in the paddock as a Mercedes and Ferrari reserve (in addition to Red Bull duties) keeps him visible to rival teams.

Aston Martin represents another possibility. The Silverstone squad switches to Honda power in 2026, and Tsunoda’s long-standing relationship with the Japanese manufacturer could prove advantageous—particularly if Fernando Alonso retires as hinted.

The Case for Tsunoda

Mekies’ advocacy rests on Tsunoda’s demonstrated growth. The 2024 Racing Bulls car carried his « DNA »—developed through three years of feedback and technical collaboration. His ability to extract performance from machinery he helped create, combined with his improved emotional maturity, presents a compelling package for teams seeking experience.

Whether that opportunity materializes in 2026 or beyond remains uncertain. But as Tsunoda himself notes: « Anything can happen. I’ve prepared as much as possible, I’m in the best shape, and my mental approach is always, ‘If the team asks me to jump in, make sure I perform.' »

For a driver who once struggled to contain his emotions, the ability to accept his circumstances while maintaining peak readiness may be his most impressive evolution yet.