Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has paid tribute to Yuki Tsunoda, after it was announced he would not occupy a race seat in 2026.

Tsunoda will be replaced at Red Bull by Isack Hadjar next season, with the Japanese driver taking on a test and reserve role to continue his work within the team in 2026.

Red Bull boss pays tribute to ‘complete racer’ Yuki Tsunoda

Red Bull announced its 2026 line-ups for both of its teams on Tuesday, with Max Verstappen and Hadjar forming the ‘senior’ team’s duo for next season, while Liam Lawson has been retained for 2026 at Racing Bulls alongside Red Bull’s latest graduate of its junior programme, British teenager Arvid Lindblad.

Tsunoda has largely struggled to match Verstappen in Red Bull machinery since his sudden promotion from Racing Bulls to

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