Yuki Tsunoda is one of the few drivers on the grid without a confirmed seat for 2026. According to former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, there may be a surprising option for the Japanese racer outside of the Red Bull camp: a switch to Alpine. However, the Colombian also raises significant questions about Tsunoda’s situation.
Yuki Tsunoda hopes to retain his place at Red Bull in 2026, but his future is far from certain. Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar is seen as the logical successor to the struggling Japanese driver, which increasingly puts Tsunoda’s position under pressure. Yet, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya does not rule out a surprising twist. He sees Alpine as a possible new destination for Tsunoda. “Tsunoda to Alpine could just be the unexpected twist that surprises everyone,” says Montoya.
At the same time, the Colombian does raise significant concerns about Tsunoda’s situation. Particularly the financial backing of the Japanese driver is, according to him, a stumbling block: “The problem is: I don’t know if Tsunoda has the financial support.” And if he doesn’t find a seat for 2026, an uncertain future looms: “If Tsunoda falls through the cracks, he becomes a reserve driver or he has to do something else and forget about Formula 1. How is that going to work? That’s the tricky part.”
