Why Isack Hadjar won’t replace Yuki Tsunoda for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix despite getting Red Bull seat

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Red Bull have finally made a decision on their driver line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season after keeping fans waiting for a few months.

Isack Hadjar will be the man to line up alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull after registering an impressive rookie season.

Unfortunately, with Racing Bulls opting for another rookie, it means that Yuki Tsunoda no longer has a seat.

For the first time in more than five years, he no longer has a Formula 1 drive, and it feels like he didn’t get the best opportunity to prove himself at times.

Red Bull rejected a Honda deal that would have kept the Japanese driver on the grid full-time again, heading into the 2026 F1 regulations.

F2 insiders think Arvid Lindblad needed another year before being promoted, and the 18-year-old will now face a real test.

READ MORE: Red Bull pay tribute to Yuki Tsunoda after confirming exit ahead of the 2026 F1 season

Isack Hadjar won’t replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull in Abu Dhabi because it wouldn’t be fair

Tsunoda has a perfect route back onto the grid in 2027, which means that he can spend next year learning as much as he can about the new cars before making a move.

Being a test and reserve driver with his level of experience won’t necessarily be a bad thing. He has plenty of experience.

With their new pairings already announced, some might ask why Hadjar isn’t replacing Tsunoda already ahead of the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

There are a whole host of reasons, including things such as Honda having paid a decent ransom to have Tsunoda in that seat.

Also, Hadjar hasn’t driven the RB21 before, which makes throwing him in the deep end difficult. There’s not much point in him getting behind the wheel of a car that will have no relevance to 2026 after this week.

And, finally, it allows Red Bull to continue to have full focus on Max Verstappen’s title efforts, rather than diverting any attention elsewhere.

READ MORE: Red Bull confirm Max Verstappen’s 2026 teammate as Racing Bulls decide their next F1 driver line-up

Why Yuki Tsunoda has been dropped by Red Bull for 2026

One look at the drivers’ championship tells you everything you need to know about Tsunoda’s performance in 2025.

He couldn’t afford to finish 15th in a year where his teammate is at the sharp end of the grid, and still has a chance of competing for a title at the season finale.

If he had shown them a glimpse at any point, then they would have kept him. But, as a second driver, he hasn’t delivered enough.

It means that Tsunoda may have to look outside the Red Bull family for a seat, unless one of their drivers has a disastrous 2026 and clearly isn’t ready to be in one of their roles.