Yuki Tsunoda’s manager gives intriguing two-word answer when asked if he’s held talks with Alpine

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Yuki Tsunoda is at risk of being dropped entirely by Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season. He enters the Italian Grand Prix in 19th place, a level of performance the team may not be able to tolerate.

Laurent Mekies refused to confirm whether Tsunoda would drop to Racing Bulls, like Liam Lawson, if he loses his seat. Isack Hadjar is making an extremely strong case to replace him.

After Cadillac confirmed Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their drivers for 2026, Tsunoda only has one external option – Alpine. Pierre Gasly, his former AlphaTauri teammate, has just signed a contract extension to 2028.

But the race for the second seat is open. Franco Colapinto hasn’t scored a point since he took over from Jack Doohan in May, and is the only active driver below Tsunoda in the standings.

Yuki Tsunoda’s manager ‘laughed’ after question about Flavio Briatore

A recent report claimed Tsunoda is under consideration at Alpine for 2026. The Enstone outfit were linked with Perez and, even more so, Bottas, but they’ve now had to recalibrate.

While Tsunoda’s stock has fallen sharply since he joined Red Bull, there’s a certain level of sympathy in the paddock. Several drivers have struggled in a seat that has come to be viewed as a poisoned chalice.

• READ MORE: Yuki Tsunoda explains why he’s taking some credit for Isack Hadjar’s podium amid Red Bull seat battle

Tsunoda has scored more than 100 points in his F1 career, and he convincingly beat a serial Grand Prix winner in Daniel Ricciardo last year. Autosport Web report that he’s ‘undoubtedly one of the candidates’ for Alpine.

They asked Tsunoda’s manager, Diego Menchaca, whether he’d spoken to Flavio Briatore over a potential move. Intriguingly, rather than denying the rumour, he ‘laughed’ and said: “No comment.”

What Red Bull staff really think of Yuki Tsunoda with future uncertain

Tsunoda says he’d have ‘no problem’ rejoining Racing Bulls, but it’s unclear whether he’d have that option. Helmut Marko may be reluctant to pair two drivers who have been dropped by the top team, particularly with Arvid Lindblad impressing in Formula 2.

According to The Limburger, Red Bull staff won’t make ‘a single negative comment’ about Tsunoda. He makes an effort to greet each and every employee when he arrives at the circuit, and that ‘warmth’ is ‘universally praised’.

Ideally, Mekies would like to keep Tsunoda. But he needs to see the kind of improvement that will justify that decision.

Tsunoda scored points at the previous round in the Netherlands, but that was completely overshadowed by Hadjar’s podium.