Yuki Tsunoda will return to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls at the 2026 F1 Dutch GP as Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury prompts a temporary reshuffle across Red Bull’s two teams.
Red Bull confirmed on Wednesday that Hadjar would miss the Zandvoort weekend after sustaining the injury during the summer shutdown. Liam Lawson will step up from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull, leaving Tsunoda to take Lawson’s seat alongside Arvid Lindblad.
For Tsunoda, the call-up marks his first F1 race since losing his full-time seat at the end of the 2025 season. The Japanese driver has served as test and reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls this year, attending most races and watching closely as Verstappen, Hadjar, Lawson and Lindblad adapted to the new regulations.
Speaking in a print media session ahead of the 2026 F1 Dutch GP, Tsunoda made clear how much the opportunity meant to him.
“I can’t be sad. It was a moment I was waiting for and I was dying to have this kind of moment,” he admitted.
“Obviously, it always really depends on the current drivers who are competing this year. It’s not frustrating or stressful, but watching from the screen every race, I was feeling like I really want to be back and driving.”
Tsunoda had less than two days to prepare
Tsunoda only found out about his return on Tuesday, leaving him with limited time to prepare before the weekend at Zandvoort.
He said he had been in Greece when the call came, and quickly had to change plans.
“I was with my manager, and also other friends in Greece, spending [time] together, and I was on the beach. It’s not like I don’t want to make something different, I was just hanging on the beach all the time [during the holiday], and I was still training and everything. At the moment I received a call from my manager at the beach. [I was] pretty relaxed, watching the nice beautiful ocean, and I just suddenly got a call, ‘OK, you have to go to the UK’.”
Tsunoda continued, “I was in Greece [for] just 24 hours, and he already wanted me to go to the UK. I said, ‘OK, why?’ ‘Maybe you might race this week’.”
When asked when he heard the news, Tsunoda replied: “Tuesday.”
Readiness to take the wheel
That short notice has made the weekend more challenging. The 2026 regulations have changed the cars significantly, and Tsunoda will only have one practice session before the competitive running begins at Zandvoort.
Still, he believes his physical and mental preparation remain strong.
“Physically and in terms of my mind, I think it’s sharp enough. I was training for almost every day for a long time. Actually, this is the only time I have a lot of time to do it because I didn’t have anything to do other than that.
“Also, I’ve done four TPCs and within that, I was doing five races this year. It’s pretty sharp. I had a good experience doing laps in those TPCs.
“All I just need to do is to get used to this car, which I guess I feel quite a lot of difference. And the procedures, I guess, how to start and everything. I think having one free practice will be a bit tricky, but that’s why I’m not setting any expectations.
“For now, I just enjoy and have fun, which I wanted to have for a long time.”
Racing Bulls return feels familiar
Although Tsunoda serves as reserve driver for both Red Bull teams, Racing Bulls chose him to replace Lawson rather than placing him directly in Hadjar’s Red Bull seat.
Tsunoda said he did not mind which car he drove, as his priority was simply to race again.
“I don’t know, I don’t really mind which car I’m driving to be honest, I’m already grateful enough to have a seat, and I really didn’t mind which car I’m driving, because both teams are performing well, especially Racing Bulls this year.
“Racing Bulls, I’ve been here for a long time, and as soon as I wore this white jersey, I felt really at home. Lots of people are welcoming me, I feel relaxed and comfortable straight away, so for me that’s really good.
“And having already these opportunities for me, something over the roof, I was dying to have it. I’m very excited to race with Racing Bulls.”
That familiarity could help him during a weekend with so little preparation time. The Japanese driver spent several seasons with the Faenza-based team before losing his full-time seat, and he will now return to partner rookie Lindblad at Zandvoort.
Tsunoda sees chance to prove himself
Tsunoda made no secret of his desire to return to F1 full-time. With vacancies on the 2027 grid already disappearing, he knows any race opportunity matters.
Asked whether he viewed the 2026 F1 Dutch GP as an exam for next year, Tsunoda said he wanted to prove himself through driving rather than words.
“As always, we’re going to perform, which I’m always ready for, and I’m going to give my 100% performance. To be honest, having this and not having this kind of opportunity is a lot different, because it’s obviously telling the teams, it’s always selling myself with talking, but you want to always prove at a driving, so it’s good. Like I said, I’m waiting for this moment, so I just want to have fun.
“So far, I’m always having the time that I want to have, and even in similar sessions, I used to feel really bored, but yesterday I was enjoying every lap, so I just want to enjoy it.”
A possible return in a different series
Tsunoda also said the surprise return had not changed his wider approach to the future. Formula 1 remains his main target, but he admitted he does not want to spend another long period watching from the garage.
“I mean, it’s not my job to look at those stuff. I mean, I completely leave it to my manager, and my job is to just drive fast. That’s always been in Formula 1.
“My main goal is to always be driving Formula 1 and have success. That’s always there, no matter what.
“I also don’t want to be staying at the garage for 2 years. I want to drive as well. So, if there’s something potentially happening, or I couldn’t find a seat for next year, I mean, I have to look for other series.
“But I always thought, until the moment I hit the track next year, I’ll be always in Formula 1.”
A one-off chance with wider significance
Tsunoda knows how difficult it is to earn a place on the F1 grid. After losing his full-time seat at the end of 2025, this weekend gives him a rare chance to put himself back in front of teams under race conditions.
Asked whether his return offered a chance to reignite his F1 career, Tsunoda said he recognised the significance of the opportunity, even if he could not control what followed.
“I recognise how difficult and how special to be here,” he said.
“So, no matter what any situation, I’m very grateful. And if this becomes a trigger for next year, hopefully I’m driving here. That’s something that I’m very happy with and feel lucky.
“It’s not my control anyway. So, what I can do is just enjoy and perform it.”
For Tsunoda, the 2026 F1 Dutch GP is not only a temporary return to a familiar team. It is also a chance to show that he still belongs on the grid.
With just one practice session to adapt to the 2026 car and Zandvoort’s low-margin layout, the weekend will not give him an easy comeback. But after months on the sidelines, Tsunoda finally has the opportunity he had been waiting for.
