Alex Albon is sympathetic in the direction of Yuki Tsunoda after it was confirmed the Japanese driver won’t be persevering with in his seat for 2026. As a substitute, he’s transferring to a reserve position throughout the Pink Bull outfit.
The workforce confirmed earlier this week that Tsunoda will probably be dropped on the finish of the 2025 season, remaining with the organisation as a check and reserve driver for each Pink Bull and Racing Bulls.
This brings Tsunoda’s turbulent 2025 marketing campaign to an finish after the motive force started his yr in Racing Bulls earlier than being promoted to the senior workforce after solely a handful of races. Swapping with Liam Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda has now been changed by rookie Isack Hadjar, who has had a formidable debut.
The French-Algerian driver will sit beside reigning champion Max Verstappen from 2026.
Albon, talking forward of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, believes Tsunoda’s tempo merited a spot on the grid.
“Actually, I am away from social media, so I solely discovered this morning. It is onerous for Yuki. I feel Yuki’s a particularly proficient driver.
“Personally, I feel he deserves a spot in Components 1. He is a reserve driver. As of now?
“I hope he can discover a strategy to make an influence with the workforce. He is in a really related place to the place I used to be in 2021. There’s nonetheless alternative.”
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Group, Yuki Tsunoda, Pink Bull Racing Group
Picture by: Zak Mauger / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
Albon himself spent 2021 as a reserve driver after dropping his Pink Bull race seat on the finish of 2020 after struggling to match Verstappen’s efficiency, permitting him to narrate on to Tsunoda’s information. He later returned to the grid with Williams, the place he has since flourished as a driver.
Arvid Lindblad has been promoted to a seat beside Liam Lawson, inserting him as the one rookie on the grid for subsequent yr.
“How does Arvid carry out and the way does Liam carry out in that space? Is there a possibility for him to return again?” Albon questioned. “I feel that is why they’ve put him the place they’ve put him.
“I suppose I am biased. I am very biased in the direction of the man Asians within the paddock. He is bought the expertise, and I hope to see him again in Components 1.”
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