Yuki Tsunoda can save his F1 seat for 2026 by copying a famous Sergio Perez tactic

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Time is expiring on Yuki Tsunoda’s Formula 1 career as he awaits a Red Bull decision on whether he will drive for them next season.

The Japanese driver has experienced a turbulent campaign in 2025 and sits just 17th in the drivers’ championship. By Red Bull’s standards, he’s not even close to meeting the level expected of him. No podiums, and not once has he beaten his teammate on track.

But Tsunoda’s hopes aren’t all over yet. A lack of suitable candidates means that his knowledge may still be in demand heading into the 2026 F1 regulations. If he plays his cards right over the final four races this year, there’s still a chance that he can be on the grid next year.

Tsunoda’s Honda connection helps him, but it doesn’t guarantee him a seat. After having 18 races to evaluate him in their car, Laurent Mekies and Helmut Marko disagree on Tsunoda, with the latter campaigning more strongly for him to be replaced.

READ MORE: Red Bull fear they could lose out on £38m if they announce that Yuki Tsunoda is leaving

Yuki Tsunoda must help Max Verstappen win the F1 title like Sergio Perez did to save his seat

Now that Tsunoda’s final back-up option has vanished, it’s hard to see where there might be a spot for him in Formula 1, even as a reserve driver next year. Essentially, he’s relying on there being an opening within the Red Bull family still.

And there’s an obvious avenue for him to explore if he wants to stick around. Red Bull’s head honchos haven’t decided on Tsunoda, despite stating that the Mexican Grand Prix would be their date to make a decision for a while. The unlikely door remains open.

As the title fight intensifies, and McLaren are able to take advantage of a two against one situation with Max Verstappen, Red Bull desperately needs Tsunoda to step up more than ever.

If ever there was a time for him to suddenly figure their car out, it’s now. Alternatively, he can take inspiration from Sergio Perez and conduct longer first stints in order to get in the McLaren drivers’ way in the races that remain between now and the finale.

It could be a deciding factor in his team’s season, and it could also help earn him another gig for 2026, whether that’s at Red Bull or Racing Bulls. He needs to find a way to step up and deliver when it matters most, otherwise, he’ll be failing a critical test.

READ MORE: Jacques Villeneuve doesn’t understand Red Bull’s stance on Yuki Tsunoda ahead of 2026 contract decision

How did Sergio Perez help Max Verstappen win the 2021 F1 title?

Looking back on 2021, the season gained its notoriety for having one of the most controversial finishes in recent history.

But the tale of how the race ended up in that position is often forgotten. Verstappen shouldn’t have had a chance of attacking Hamilton on the last lap in Abu Dhabi.

But teammate Perez decided to try and triple the width of his car in the final sector, allowing the Dutchman to close a 20-second gap.

It worked perfectly, bringing him back into contention and changing the outcome of an entire season. Tsunoda doing something similar could save his career, but may not win him too many fans.