Tsunoda's Red Bull future uncertain after 2027 appointments

Racing Bulls has retained Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad for 2027, while Nikola Tsolov has been named reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. RacingNews365 says the appointments leave Yuki Tsunoda's position within the group uncertain.

The outlet sees a test-and-simulator job as the only possible role left for Tsunoda there. Tsolov's programme will also include free-practice sessions, tests and simulator work for Red Bull.

Tsunoda had to make way for Isack Hadjar at Red Bull at the end of 2025 and has served as a reserve driver since. In 2026, he raced several times as Lawson's stand-in, after Lawson was moved up to Red Bull to cover for the injured Hadjar.

RacingNews365 doubts Tsunoda would want a test-and-simulator position, saying he was unhappy to be without a full-time seat in 2026 and had already signalled he was looking for other opportunities in the near term. The outlet sees a full-time Formula 1 seat elsewhere as a difficult prospect and names IndyCar as a possible option if he seeks a permanent drive outside the Red Bull group.