Yuki Tsunoda’s agent ‘grinned’ at the idea of him joining one F1 team but it won’t be Aston Martin

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Red Bull now know that Max Verstappen will still be driving for them in the 2026 F1 season, yet questions linger about the future of Yuki Tsunoda after his difficult stint.

Doubts have persisted over the future of Verstappen in recent months as he mulled over the idea of leaving Red Bull for Mercedes ahead of the 2026 F1 aero and engine regulations. But the 27-year-old has now confirmed that he will stay in Milton Keynes for, at least, next term.

Verstappen can no longer trigger the exit clause in his contract, as the Dutchman will go into the summer break that follows this Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix sat third in the F1 drivers’ standings. The four-time champion had to rank fourth or lower for his clause to be available.

But while Verstappen has confirmed “I’m staying” at Red Bull in 2026, who he partners with is still to be decided. Tsunoda has partnered Verstappen at Red Bull since the third round of the 2025 F1 season, yet the 25-year-old is due to be out of contract at the close of the term.

Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s agent grins at the idea of joining Cadillac in 2026

Red Bull did not extend Tsunoda’s contract after promoting the Japanese racer up from their sister outfit Racing Bulls this March to switch places with Liam Lawson. And while he initially justified the switch, Tsunoda has now failed to score a single point across the last six rounds.

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

So, suggestions have emerged that Tsunoda is trying to join Aston Martin in 2026 as Honda will leave Red Bull for the Silverstone squad. But Auto Sport Web has spoken with Tsunoda’s agent, Diego Menchaca, who denies that the Kanagawa native is trying to join Aston Martin.

Menchaca has stated that staying at Red Bull in 2026 is Tsunoda’s priority, and his chances have improved since Laurent Mekies replaced Christian Horner as their team principal. Auto Sport Web claims that Mekies ‘does not like’ how Red Bull ‘manipulate’ Racing Bulls’ line-up.

But while Tsunoda wants to stay at Red Bull, Menchaca is exploring what other options may be available for 2026 if he is released and likely replaced by Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar. The Mexican also ‘grinned’ at the idea that Tsunoda could join Cadillac for the 2026 season.

Menchaca said: “Our first choice is this team, Red Bull. We’re still before the summer break. I think it’s quite possible depending on how well they perform… Of course, there are other options.”

Yuki Tsunoda’s agent held talks with Cadillac at the 2025 F1 Monaco Grand Prix

Aston Martin previously emerged as a potential destination for Tsunoda if his future is not in the Red Bull family after the 2025 F1 season, as the Silverstone squad will replace the Milton Keynes natives as the factory Honda outfit. Tsunoda is a product of Honda’s driver academy.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers

But Aston Martin are locked in with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll next year. Cadillac, on the other hand, are still to announce a single driver for the General Motors brand’s debut in Formula 1 next year. So, Cadillac could be the landing spot for Tsunoda if he leaves Red Bull.

Tsunoda’s agent has held talks with Cadillac about a potential move to the American crew in 2026. Menchaca, who Tsunoda named as his agent last winter after initially missing out on a drive at Red Bull to Lawson, met Cadillac at May’s Monaco Grand Prix to learn their interest.

However, the Monaco GP also marked the start of Tsunoda’s sorry run that has not yielded a point in six rounds prior to the Hungarian GP. Red Bull saw Tsunoda finish the Monaco GP in P17 before his P13 in Spain, P12 in Canada, P16 in Austria, P15 in Britain and P13 in Belgium.