Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes that it will be extremely difficult for Yuki Tsunoda to return to the royal motorsport.

The Japanese driver joined Red Bull at the start of 2025, replacing Liam Lawson after two races. Even though he performed better than his predecessor, the team decided to replace him and there was no place for Tsunoda in the youth team.

In five years in Formula One, Tsunoda has competed in more than 100 Grands Prix. His best result was fourth at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He failed to score a single podium or victory despite having several prize chances, but neither the team nor the driver realized these.

Montoya believes that Yuki is forgotten by almost all teams today:

“Look how sad Formula 1 is. Nobody even thinks about Yuki anymore. It’s only been a month and a week since the last race and Yuki is no longer on anyone’s radar. That’s the reality of this sport. One day you’re a hero, the next day you’re a nobody. When you’re a hero, you have to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Max Verstappen has said he does not pay much attention to rumors that some teams may have possible technical advantages in their new Formula 1 power units.

It has recently been claimed that Mercedes and Red Bull have found a way to further increase engine power, while other teams are trying to eliminate this possible advantage. The FIA ​​will meet with power unit manufacturers on January 22 to discuss the issue before the season starts.

Rumor has it that such optimization could produce around 15 hp, which is a significant figure at the beginning of a new era in technical regulations.

When asked whether Red Bull had an advantage in the pre-season, Verstappen replied:

“It’s impossible to know. Everyone is trying to do the best they can and I, especially me, have to focus on driving the car. I’m not here to be an engine engineer and explain all the details. Ultimately, this is a matter between the FIA ​​and the engine manufacturers. I drive the car and I believe we always do everything we can to get the best out of the engine.”

Red Bull Formula 1 team president Laurent Mekies believes the Bulls will be behind their rivals at the start of the 2026 season, given the production of their engines and new aerodynamic rules.

“We know it will be difficult for us, especially at the beginning of the season. I think we will fall behind our rivals, but we need to hold on for a few more months.”

“I hope we come back to the top, but it would be naive to think that Red Bull will be ahead right away. We will be behind at the start,” said Mekis.

Bulls will produce its engines in collaboration with Ford from 2026.