Despite changes in engine structure and lineups, Yuki Tsunoda and Ayumu Iwasa continue to hold key roles as reserve drivers at Racing Bulls, with their eyes on future opportunities.
In a context of transition for Red Bull and Racing Bulls’ driver program, the roles of Yuki Tsunoda and Ayumu Iwasa are becoming firmly established this year as strategic support figures in Formula 1, beyond the expectations surrounding their careers.
Tsunoda, a five-season veteran in the top category, is going through a period of professional reinvention after losing his full-time seat on the official F1 calendar. In 2026, the Japanese driver will not be racing as a starter for any team within the Red Bull program, but he will continue as a reserve and test driver for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.
That role means Tsunoda will be available to step into a car in case one of the two full-time drivers suffers an injury, suspension, or any other unforeseen issue that keeps them out of a Grand Prix. Tsunoda’s continuity in this position reflects the confidence the technical structure places in his experience, especially in a year where adapting to the new technical regulations and the change in power unit is crucial.
Despite not holding a seat on the grid, his presence within the team remains valued. After being promoted to Red Bull Racing during the 2025 season and facing performance ups and downs against teammates, his new role includes simulator work, test sessions, and support in the technical development of the cars.
On the other hand, Ayumu Iwasa also remains linked to the project, though his path is somewhat different. The Japanese driver, who served as Racing Bulls’ reserve and test driver, enters this year as the reigning champion of Japan’s Super Formula, a credential that places him among the strongest talents within Red Bull’s orbit.
Iwasa has alternated his schedule between competing in Super Formula and fulfilling support duties in F1, occasionally taking part in practice sessions with Racing Bulls. His combination of experiences gives him a mix of time in high-downforce single-seaters and in cars under continuous technical development, something that has caught the attention of engineers who even see him as a potential future full-time candidate.
Red Bull’s structure, following Honda’s departure as an engine partner and the transition toward its own project with Ford, has created space to redistribute responsibilities within the team. In that reshaping, both Tsunoda and Iwasa have found meaningful roles, even if very different from each other.
Each of their stories reflects two ways of staying on Formula 1’s radar: continuity and experience on one side, and progression through performance in feeder categories on the other. Both profiles represent different, but complementary, investments within a program focused on the long term.
As the 2026 season approaches, Tsunoda and Iwasa will continue strengthening their presence in the paddock, ready to respond when the opportunity comes to step back into a car and compete at the highest level.