F1 driver’s chances of being on the 2026 grid are now ‘closed’ after ‘disaster’ Singapore Grand Prix

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The Formula 1 driver market hasn’t been particularly interesting this season, but there are still a few seats that need to be confirmed ahead of next year.

The Singapore Grand Prix gave several unlikely drivers the chance to shine, with Haas’ Oliver Bearman scoring two vital points, and Aston Martin star Fernando Alonso winning Driver of the Day.

There was also an impressive comeback from Carlos Sainz, who started last after both Williams drivers were disqualified from qualifying due to an issue with their DRS flaps, but still managed to finish in the points.

However, several drivers who know their seats are under threat ahead of the 2026 F1 season failed to grab the headlines.

Liam Lawson had two big crashes in practice, and while he did well to reach Q2 in qualifying and never got the safety car he needed for his strategy to pay off, those mistakes could be costly.

Isack Hadjar is nearing a promotion to Red Bull, but a power unit failure scuppered his chances of scoring points, while Franco Colapinto had one of his best weekends as he awaits a decision from Alpine on his future.

The driver who came out of the Singapore Grand Prix under the most pressure was once again Red Bull star Yuki Tsunoda.

The Japanese driver faces a tense wait to discover his fate, but journalist Ralf Bach thinks his time on the grid as a Red Bull-backed driver might be coming to an end.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents

Yuki Tsunoda has ‘no great future’ in Formula 1 after Singapore Grand Prix ‘disaster’

Bach was speaking on the F1 Insider YouTube channel after the Singapore Grand Prix, and when discussing the 25-year-old’s performance, he said: “Yes, for Yuki Tsunoda, especially at a time when he might need to step on the gas again and convince Red Bull bosses that he is the right man for the job.

“It was, of course, a disaster and sent the wrong signal. Sure, I’ve been saying for weeks that the issue is closed for me, and I agree with Ralf Schumacher, who said that it shows not only how good Max Verstappen is, but also that Yuki Tsunoda just doesn’t have what it takes in comparison.

“And yes, everything is coming down to Hadjar, and I think it’s just a question of whether Lawson stays or not at Racing Bulls.

“I think that, if necessary, there’s no great future for him there anymore, neither at Red Bull nor at Racing Bulls.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

What went wrong for Yuki Tsunoda at the Singapore Grand Prix?

Team principal Laurent Mekies would have wanted to see Tsunoda build on his season-best result at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last time out.

However, Tsunoda failed to progress to Q3 on Saturday, and that put him on the back foot for Sunday’s race.

The Japanese driver then had what he called the ‘worst’ start of his Formula 1 career and fell back to 18th, with only the two drivers who started from the pit lane behind him.

Although overtaking is notoriously difficult in Singapore, Verstappen showed how quick the Red Bull was by managing to keep Lando Norris behind him for the entire race.

Tsunoda was never able to use that pace, and when his teammate lapped him during the closing stages of the Grand Prix, it would have been a tough moment to handle.

Singapore could signal the end of Tsunoda’s time at Red Bull, and if it does, there doesn’t appear to be another seat available for him in Formula 1.

Pierre Gasly wouldn’t mind a reunion with Tsunoda at Alpine, but Flavio Briatore appears to have ruled out an external hire for their 2026 line-up.