Laurent Mekies wishes another Formula 1 opportunity comes along for Yuki Tsunoda

While Tsunoda made his debut with Red Bull Racing at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, replacing Liam Lawson, the 2026 installment of his home race must have been a tough one as he had to watch from the team's garage as Isack Hadjar took over his seat.

Tsunoda revealed that he has prepared for the 2026 season as if he were a full-time driver and Mekies, while hailing his contribution as a reserve, insists he deserves another chance.

“Yuki is doing a great job with us," he said, "not only as a reserve driver, but also as a simulator driver. It's great to have somebody that has such deep, recent experience of the car that can help us behind the scenes.

"Of course, we wish for him that there is an opportunity that comes soon because racing drivers are meant to race. And that's what we wish for Yuki."

The Frenchman, who took over Christian Horner's role midseason in 2025, admitted the struggles Red Bull Racing have had, finding a driver that can keep up with Max Verstappen were something they are focused on sorting out.

The team have gone through three drivers since ousting Sergio Perez at the end of the 2024 F1 season. Lawson lasted two races in 2025 while Tsunoda continued till the end of the season and was then replaced by Hadjar for 2026.

He explained: “We are conscious that we haven't been as strong as we would have liked in the past in terms of the second-car performance at Red Bull Racing and it's something we are taking the learnings, we are trying to improve day after day.

“It's fair to say that Yuki has shown significant speed in the past and we wish for him that another opportunity comes along the way," Mekies concluded.

Tsunoda made his F1 debut with Racing Bulls back in 2021 when the team was till called Scuderia AlphaTauri. (Source: Beyond the Grid podcast)