Hiroki Tsunoda says he’s “pissed off” at dropping his Pink Bull seat to Isak Hajar on the finish of this season, and believes he could be happy with the tempo he confirmed in comparison with teammate Max Verstappen.
Pink Bull are set to advertise Hajjar alongside Verstappen in 2026, with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad forming the Racing Bulls line-up, with Tsunoda dropping to a reserve position. Tsunoda solely acquired affirmation of the change from Pink Bull crew advisor Helmut Marko on Sunday night time in Qatar, admitting that issues haven’t but utterly sunk in as he prepares for his remaining race weekend in the interim, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“I am clearly upset and indignant,” Tsunoda stated. “Proper after the race, Helmut personally advised me that he wouldn’t be racing subsequent 12 months.
“Surprisingly, I am okay. Not okay, however… The subsequent day, the following morning, I ordered breakfast, the identical meals as ordinary, and I in all probability do not realize that this will probably be my final race, at the very least for subsequent 12 months. So possibly I am going to really feel higher after Abu Dhabi, however it’s handed and that is how I really feel now.”
Tsunoda stated he’s centered on holding his seat at Pink Bull as he’s contractually unable to maneuver elsewhere in 2026 and can attempt to use his spare time as productively as potential.
“I had no alternative,” he stated. “Really, my contract was there, so I could not do a lot in it. I had some exterior pursuits, however the contract did not enable me to essentially discuss to them or something. So I used to be utterly centered on the Pink Bull seat. And anyway, that is been my precedence for the previous few years within the Pink Bull household, as a result of that is additionally the place I grew up.”
“I am excited to see it from a unique perspective and with completely different eyes subsequent 12 months, as a result of that is the primary time in my profession that I am not racing. I’ve by no means sat in an workplace and labored whereas folks have been racing, so I am unable to seek advice from it like this.”
“I am wanting ahead to it as a result of I can see extra and have the (capability to hear) to what every driver is making an attempt to do, so I would study loads of issues that I did not think about. I am going to additionally proceed to attempt to keep nearly as good as I can each time I get an opportunity. I am going to smash it with these possibilities. So till then, keep nicely and wait.”
Tsunoda was promoted to Pink Bull to interchange Lawson in two races this 12 months after a robust displaying with Racing Bulls, however admitted at the back of his thoughts he wished he had continued to carry out with the junior crew, even when he believed he was nicely suited in comparison with Verstappen’s tempo.
“My solely remorse is lacking out on that fairly good automotive at VCARB,” he stated. “But it surely’s additionally like throwing away your youngster, your child, as a result of this automotive is a automotive that I developed with the crew through the years for the reason that rules, and it positively has my DNA in it as nicely.”
“So clearly lacking that out and finally not having the ability to get to the extent that I needed to (resigning) is one thing I missed out on, however on the identical time I do not remorse that call.”
“Imola[the crash]is actually nonetheless a really irritating incident once I look again on it, as a result of the crash that I had was very pointless… however it additionally actually set me again when it comes to elements.
“However on the identical time, in case you take a look at the entire season, particularly the second half of the season, the place I used to be in Q1, and[Verstappen]was at all times prime three, prime 4, the outcomes seemed unhealthy. However on the identical time, simply wanting on the efficiency aspect, I am unable to keep in mind the final time I used to be 4 or 5 tenths off, even the instances I received out of in Q1.”
“As soon as we received the very same automotive, we have been very aggressive in opposition to him and I believe that is what this (Pink Bull second) seat was combating. And truly I am happy with how I’ve grown and the way I’ve improved over the season.”
“Max has been right here for a few years now. He is aware of loads of issues, together with this automotive. After all, there isn’t any denying that he’s the perfect driver on the grid, however on the identical time I’m pleased that I used to be capable of catch up so rapidly at this degree, particularly on this very slim discipline. This 12 months is likely one of the tightest ever.”
