Juan Pablo Montoya says Yuki Tsunoda could make ‘strange’ F1 transfer that ‘surprises everyone’

Follow us on Google Discover

Yuki Tsunoda had a strong weekend at the United States Grand Prix, finishing seventh in both the Sprint and Sunday’s race. If Red Bull still haven’t made a decision on his future, then these results could prove vital.

According to Ted Kravitz, it’s an open secret that Tsunoda will lose his Red Bull seat to Isack Hadjar. However, there’s still an opening at Racing Bulls – either next to Arvid Lindblad or Liam Lawson.

Tsunoda gained a collective 16 places on a battling Austin weekend. His combined haul of eight points matches his best as a Red Bull driver.

One journalist says Mekies is ‘almost begging’ Tsunoda to give him a reason to extend his contract, such is his admiration for the Japanese star. Even though he’s shown clear signs of improvement, Juan Pablo Montoya suggested on the AS Colombia YouTube channel that his future may lie away from Red Bull.

Juan Pablo Montoya assesses Yuki Tsunoda’s chances of joining Alpine

The only team outside the Red Bull stable who haven’t finalised their 2026 driver plans are Alpine. Pierre Gasly is locked in, but Franco Colapinto’s future is still up in the air.

Flavio Briatore has indicated that either Colapinto or Paul Aron will partner Gasly next year. Aron is one of the team’s reserve drivers, along with the axed Jack Doohan.

But Briatore is one of the most unpredictable figures in the F1 paddock and has rarely stuck to a consistent line on Colapinto. Thus, Montoya says a ‘strange’ move for Tsunoda shouldn’t be ruled out.

Alpine have been linked with Tsunoda already this year, but those reports have since been played down. Montoya is unsure whether the 106-race driver has the financial backing to tempt Briatore.

• READ MORE: How Alpine staff reacted in the paddock to Franco Colapinto ignoring team orders at the US Grand Prix

“Tsunoda [to Alpine] could be the strange twist that surprises everyone,” he said. “The problem is, I don’t know financially if Tsunoda has the support.

“If Tsunoda is left out, he’ll be a reserve or he’ll have to find something else to do and forget about Formula 1. How is that going to work? That’s the complicated part.”

Yuki Tsunoda is about to enter Sergio Perez mode at Red Bull

Speaking at COTA, Marko reiterated that Red Bull will finalise their plans after Mexico. Tsunoda still underperformed when compared to race-winner Max Verstappen, but he arguably had the edge on Lawson and indeed Hadjar at this particular event.

Tsunoda has climbed to 16th in the championship, level on points with Haas’ Esteban Ocon. He may be eyeing a late assault on the top 10, with Hadjar 11 ahead.

But the complicating factor is that Red Bull want Tsunoda to be ‘of service’ to Verstappen now that he’s firmly back in the F1 title fight. They’ll be using him to trial different set-ups for the reigning world champion.

He could face the kind of role Sergio Perez occupied when Verstappen fought Lewis Hamilton in 2021, even to his own detriment. But playing the team game would be the right move in terms of optics.