Racing driver and pundit Sam Bird has delivered a crushing blow to Red Bull Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda, claiming that it is only a matter of time before he is replaced.
The Japanese driver replaced rookie Liam Lawson in the seat alongside four-time champion Max Verstappen for his home race at Suzuka, the third round of the 2025 season. While Tsunoda has shown some improvement in recent races, he has not been able to extract the same performance as the Dutchman.
The Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit saw Tsunoda lapped by Verstappen. As his team-mate crossed the line to finish in second, Tsunoda only managed 12th.
“He got lapped by his team-mate and by the frontrunners. It’s only a matter of time now before he vacates that seat; it’s just a matter of when, not if,” Bird said on the BBC Chequered Flag podcast.
Rumours have linked Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar to the coveted Red Bull seat in 2026, with Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad potentially taking a seat at the sister team. This would leave Lawson and Tsunoda fighting for the second Racing Bulls seat.
Bird questioned whether the replacement could come before the end of the season.Racing driver and pundit Sam Bird has delivered a crushing blow to Red Bull Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda, claiming that it is only a matter of time before he is replaced.
The Japanese driver replaced rookie Liam Lawson in the seat alongside four-time champion Max Verstappen for his home race at Suzuka, the third round of the 2025 season. While Tsunoda has shown some improvement in recent races, he has not been able to extract the same performance as the Dutchman.
The Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit saw Tsunoda lapped by Verstappen. As his team-mate crossed the line to finish in second, Tsunoda only managed 12th.
“He got lapped by his team-mate and by the frontrunners. It’s only a matter of time now before he vacates that seat; it’s just a matter of when, not if,” Bird said on the BBC Chequered Flag podcast.
Rumours have linked Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar to the coveted Red Bull seat in 2026, with Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad potentially taking a seat at the sister team. This would leave Lawson and Tsunoda fighting for the second Racing Bulls seat.
Bird questioned whether the replacement could come before the end of the season.
