Poll leans against Tsunoda as 2026 partner for Verstappen
A RacingNews365 poll shows a slim majority of Formula 1 fans want Red Bull to replace Yuki Tsunoda for 2026. Of those who voted, 53.7% favoured moving on from the 25-year-old, while 39.7% felt he deserves more time.
Form under scrutiny
Tsunoda was promoted from Racing Bulls to replace Liam Lawson after just two rounds of the season, but his adjustment to the RB21 has proved challenging. Across 15 starts for Red Bull he has scored 20 points, including a difficult seven-race run without points from Monaco through Hungary. Recent form shows some recovery, with points in two of the last four races and a season-best sixth place in Azerbaijan.
Pressure from within Red Bull’s talent pool
Comparisons have been inevitable. Lawson banked fifth in Baku, while Isack Hadjar stood on the podium at Zandvoort, adding weight to the internal competition. The fan debate reflects Red Bull’s dilemma: persist with a developing pairing or inject fresh momentum alongside Max Verstappen in 2026.
- Poll result: 53.7% say Red Bull should replace Tsunoda; 39.7% say give him more time
- 2025 snapshot: 20 points in 15 races for Red Bull
- Best result: P6 at the Azerbaijan GP
- Notable streak: Seven consecutive races without points mid-season
