Jacques Villeneuve ‘would be worried’ if the 1997 Formula 1 champion were in one current driver’s position, as their place on the grid could now be at risk this season.
The F1 driver market has already seen some early activity this term, with Red Bull demoting Liam Lawson to Racing Bulls and Alpine now replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto. But multiple other stars are also fighting to feature when the new regulations arrive in 2026.
Lawson and the Kiwi’s successor at Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda, are two of the five stars currently set to see their contracts expire after the 2025 F1 season. Mercedes duo George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli plus Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar also only have deals for this year.
Additionally, Alpine only confirmed Colapinto on a five-round contract to replace Doohan as Pierre Gasly’s teammate from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. The Argentine has to prove he deserves the seat beyond the Austrian Grand Prix, with Paul Aron ready to step up.
Jacques Villeneuve feels Yuki Tsunoda should be ‘worried’ Isack Hadjar could replace him at Red Bull
Red Bull initially rejected Tsunoda to promote Lawson to replace Sergio Perez last December as they questioned his mental strength to partner Max Verstappen. But the Kiwi’s inability to adapt to the RB21 or post a single point over the first two rounds led to his return to Faenza.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents
Yet Villeneuve feels Tsunoda should now be ‘worried’ that Red Bull could look to replace him with Racing Bulls gem Hadjar, as he has also struggled in the RB21. The 25-year-old has only scored points in two of his four Grands Prix for Red Bull with P9 in Bahrain and P10 in Miami.
Also, the Canadian questions if team principal Christian Horner and co ever wanted him, and even suggests that the Kanagawa native only took the drive as Honda offered Red Bull £17m to axe Lawson for Tsunoda. Honda has backed Tsunoda since he joined its academy in 2016.
Villeneuve told Sky Sports F1 (17/5, 12:53): “If I were Tsunoda, I would be worried right now. Remember, Tsunoda was only ever there because of Honda. They didn’t put him in the main car last year because they don’t want Tsunoda.
“But they didn’t have a choice when Lawson wasn’t up to scratch. And they’re afraid that Hadjar is just too young, not ready [and] let’s not burn him. But he’s showing now that he might be ready.”
Red Bull are monitoring Isack Hadjar’s Racing Bulls results to replace Yuki Tsunoda
Red Bull seemingly share Villeneuve’s view that Hadjar is showing he might be ready to join the Milton Keynes team with his rookie results for Racing Bulls. It is already said that Hadjar is a candidate to replace Tsunoda at Red Bull if the Japanese ace cannot improve his results.
READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know
Also, Horner admits Hadjar has exceeded Red Bull’s expectations with his early results in F1, with the 20-year-old recording two top-10 finishes with P8 in Japan and P10 in Saudi Arabia through his first six Grands Prix. He also took 11th in China and Miami, plus 13th in Bahrain.
So, if Hadjar continues to progress and score big results for Racing Bulls, Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull and potentially in Formula 1 could become clouded. The Emilia Romagna GP marks his 97th Grand Prix entry to date but Tsunoda may not have any other options for next year.
Red Bull control three of the potential vacancies on the 2026 F1 grid and Mercedes may not be interested in signing Tsunoda. Additionally, Honda is leaving Red Bull to join Aston Martin next year and they have Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll under contract for the 2026 term.
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