Alex Albon: “Extremely talented” Yuki Tsunoda still deserves F1 seat after losing Red Bull drive

Alex Albon has thrown his support behind Yuki Tsunoda after Red Bull dropped him from a race seat for 2026

Alex Albon is sympathetic towards Yuki Tsunoda after it was confirmed the Japanese driver will not be continuing in his seat for 2026. Instead, he is moving to a reserve role within the Red Bull outfit.

The team confirmed earlier this week that Tsunoda will be dropped at the end of the 2025 season, remaining with the organisation as a test and reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.

This brings Tsunoda's turbulent 2025 campaign to an end after the driver began his year in Racing Bulls before being promoted to the senior team after only a handful of races. Swapping with Liam Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda has now been replaced by rookie Isack Hadjar, who has had an impressive debut.

The French-Algerian driver will sit beside reigning champion Max Verstappen from 2026.

Albon, speaking ahead of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, believes Tsunoda's pace merited a place on the grid.

“Honestly, I'm away from social media, so I only found out this morning. It's hard for Yuki. I think Yuki's an extremely talented driver.

“Personally, I think he deserves a place in Formula 1. He's a reserve driver. As of now?

“I hope he can find a way to make an impact with the team. He's in a very similar place to where I was in 2021. There's still opportunity.”

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

Albon himself spent 2021 as a reserve driver after losing his Red Bull race seat at the end of 2020 after struggling to match Verstappen's performance, allowing him to relate directly to Tsunoda's news. He later returned to the grid with Williams, where he has since flourished as a driver.

Arvid Lindblad has been promoted to a seat beside Liam Lawson, placing him as the only rookie on the grid for next year.

“How does Arvid perform and how does Liam perform in that area? Is there an opportunity for him to come back?" Albon questioned. "I think that's why they have put him where they've put him.

“I guess I'm biased. I'm very biased towards the fellow Asians in the paddock. He's got the talent, and I hope to see him back in Formula 1.”