Who is Yuki Tsunoda?
Yuki Tsunoda is a Japanese racing driver who made his debut in Formula 1 (F1) in 2021 with the team then known as AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls).
Born on 11 May 2000 in Sagamihara, Japan, Tsunoda quickly rose through the junior motorsport ranks before landing in F1.
Over the years, he has become a known name — admired for his speed and fighting spirit. However, as of late 2025, his F1 journey has hit a major turning point.
Age & 2026 Status
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Age: As of December 2025, Yuki Tsunoda is 25 years old.
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2026 Season: Tsunoda will not race on the full 2026 F1 grid.
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The 2026 line-up for his parent organization will see Isack Hadjar partnering Max Verstappen, while another rookie, Arvid Lindblad, has been promoted to Racing Bulls — leaving Tsunoda without a race seat.
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Instead, Tsunoda will remain within the team structure as a test and reserve driver.
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So while he isn’t quitting the sport, Tsunoda will not be competing on the F1 race circuit in 2026.
Why Is He Leaving the F1 Grid?
There are several key reasons for Tsunoda’s exit from the 2026 race line-up:
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Team Strategy & Restructuring: The parent organization — Red Bull Racing / Racing Bulls — opted for a fresh driver line-up for the new technical era in 2026. They chose Hadjar and Lindblad, younger talents they believe have potential for long-term development.
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Honda’s Withdrawal: The Japanese manufacturer Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), which backed Tsunoda since his early career, is ending its partnership with Red Bull at the end of 2025. That removes a key backer for Tsunoda’s seat.
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Performance vs. Expectations: Although Tsunoda has had flashes of promise, the team evidently decided they needed different prospects to match the evolving demands of F1 — especially under new regulations.
According to team principal Laurent Mekies, while Tsunoda has matured into a capable driver, the decision reflects a broader shift in team priorities.
Tsunoda himself called the news “incredibly tough” but reaffirmed his commitment to work hard as a reserve driver — signaling he’s far from giving up.
Net Worth & Earnings (2025)
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According to recent estimates, Tsunoda’s net worth is around US $5 million.
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For the 2025 season, his base salary was reportedly US $2 million, with possible bonuses, bringing his contract value to around US $2.5–2.0 million.
Keep in mind, such figures may evolve with any future contracts, endorsements, or changes in his role (e.g., test/reserve driver).
Personal Life & “Wife” (or Lack Thereof)
As of the latest publicly available information:
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There’s no credible public record confirming that Yuki Tsunoda is married.
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Neither mainstream F1 media nor his official bios reference a “wife” or any spouse.
In other words: the rumours about his marital status remain unverified.
What’s Next for Yuki Tsunoda — Can He Return?
Though 2026 will see him off the race grid, Tsunoda remains within the fold as a test/reserve driver. That keeps options open:
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He may get opportunities via FP1 sessions, testing programs, or as a substitute driver if team needs arise.
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If he performs well and stays motivated, there’s potential for a comeback to the grid in future seasons — depending on driver-market dynamics, team needs, and how Tsunoda leverages his ties (past and present) in the sport.
As one commentary put it:
“He still has a long future in racing, and he will continue to earn a lot of money racing. He may go back to race in Japan… He is a star there now.”
