Red Bull Reserve Yuki Tsunoda Pilots RB8 in Istanbul Street Circuit Demo Following Historic Five-Year Formula 1 Return Deal

Yuki Tsunoda pilots the RB8 in Istanbul to celebrate the Turkish Grand Prix's 5-year return deal for F1 2027. Red Bull's reserve eyeing a race seat comeback.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 8:36 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1.com

The Roar of the RB8 Returns to Istanbul

The streets of Istanbul echoed with the sound of Sebastian Vettel’s championship-winning Red Bull RB8 as Yuki Tsunoda headlined a historic demonstration run to celebrate Turkey's Formula 1 revival. Starting from the Galataport cruise terminal and concluding at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office, the run served as a ceremonial welcome for the sport's return to one of its most technical venues. Tsunoda also completed several high-speed laps at the Istanbul Park circuit, famously home to the high-G Turn 8, a favorite among both drivers and engineers. The outing provided a vital PR boost for the local promoters following the official announcement by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish Grand Prix Secures Long-Term Future

Formula 1 officially confirmed on Friday that the Turkish Grand Prix will rejoin the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2027 under a five-year contract. The deal, which ensures the race remains at Istanbul Park until at least 2031, follows intensive negotiations between F1 management, the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED). The circuit last hosted races during the 2020 and 2021 pandemic-affected seasons, including Lewis Hamilton's record-equalling seventh world title win. President Erdogan described the return as a "victory for Turkey’s passion for sport," emphasizing the nation’s readiness to host elite global events once again.

Tsunoda’s New Reality as Red Bull Reserve

For Yuki Tsunoda, the Istanbul demo run marks his most significant appearance in Red Bull colors since being demoted to a reserve role at the end of the 2025 season. Despite a five-year tenure on the grid that saw him promoted to the senior Red Bull squad alongside Max Verstappen in early 2025, Tsunoda struggled to maintain consistent scoring, finishing 17th in the standings with just 33 points. The energy drinks giant ultimately opted to promote 21-year-old Isack Hadjar to the primary seat for the 2026 campaign. Red Bull Racing CEO Laurent Mekies noted that while Tsunoda remains a "special part of the family," his primary duties for the current season are focused on simulator support and Friday free practice sessions.