
Yuki Tsunoda – Height, Age, Net Worth and 2026 Plans
Yuki Tsunoda is one of the most recognizable figures in Formula 1, known for his aggressive driving style and rapid rise through the motorsport ranks. As of the 2026 season, the 25-year-old Japanese driver has transitioned into a test and reserve role with Red Bull Racing after several years as a full-time competitor. His journey from karting in Sagamihara to the pinnacle of motorsport is a story of talent, resilience, and the strong backing of the Honda Formula Dream Project.
Born on May 11, 2000, Tsunoda made his F1 debut in 2021 with AlphaTauri. Over the next five seasons, he accumulated 124 championship points across 111 Grands Prix. He now serves as a reserve driver, ready to step in when called upon.
This profile covers his height, age, net worth, family background, career statistics, and what lies ahead for him in the 2026 season and beyond.
How Tall Is Yuki Tsunoda? Height, Weight, and Age
Yuki Tsunoda (角田裕毅)
25 years old (born 11 May 2000)
159 cm (5′3″) / 54 kg
Reserve Driver, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda Height and Weight
Yuki Tsunoda stands at 1.59 meters (5 feet 2 inches or 5 feet 3 inches), according to his official FIA and team profiles. This makes him one of the shortest drivers on the Formula 1 grid, well below the average driver height of around 175 cm. His listed weight is approximately 54 kg.
Yuki Tsunoda Age and Date of Birth
Tsunoda was born on May 11, 2000, in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He was the first Formula 1 driver born in the 2000s to compete in the sport. As of mid-2026, he is 25 years old.
Yuki Tsunoda Birthplace and Nationality
He is Japanese, born and raised in Sagamihara, a city in the Greater Tokyo area. He represents Japan internationally and is the only Japanese driver on the F1 grid in 2026.
- Height confirmed: 159 cm per FIA F3 and F1 records.
- Weight: 54 kg per sports data sources.
- Age: 25 years as of July 2026.
- Nationality: Japanese.
- Place of birth: Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
- F1 debut: 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix with AlphaTauri.
- Racing number: 22.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 May 2000 |
| Place of Birth | Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Height | 159 cm (5 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 54 kg (119 lbs) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| F1 Debut | 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix (AlphaTauri) |
| Current Role (2026) | Reserve Driver, Red Bull Racing |
| Racing Number | 22 |
| Career Points | 124 (end of 2025 season) |
| Highest Race Finish | 4th (Abu Dhabi GP, 2021) |
| Net Worth Estimate | $5–15 million (2026 estimate) |
| Annual Salary Estimate | $3–6 million (2026 estimate) |
| Parents | Father: Nobuaki Tsunoda (deceased 2021), mother: name not public |
| Marital Status | Single |
What Is Yuki Tsunoda’s Net Worth and Salary?
Yuki Tsunoda Net Worth in 2026
Yuki Tsunoda’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $15 million, according to sources like Sportskeeda and GiveMeSport. The range reflects uncertainty, as net worth figures for F1 drivers are not officially disclosed. The higher end of the estimate from 2026 sources factors in his reserve driver retainer and potential race appearance fees.
Yuki Tsunoda Salary and Contract Details
During his full-time tenure as a race driver, Tsunoda’s annual salary was approximately $1 million per year. For the 2026 season, his contract as a reserve driver includes a retainer fee estimated at $2–5 million. If called up to race, he would earn an additional appearance fee of $0.5–1 million per Grand Prix. His potential annual income for 2026 is estimated between $3 million and $6 million.
Tsunoda’s 2026 contract with Red Bull Racing was announced on December 4, 2025. He will serve as a test and reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. His net worth and salary figures are estimates based on media reports and comparable driver contracts, not official disclosures.
Yuki Tsunoda Current Team (2026)
For the 2026 season, Tsunoda is a test and reserve driver for Red Bull Racing, covering Racing Bulls as well. He was replaced on the main Red Bull F1 grid by Isack Hadjar, ending his full-time F1 career after 22 Grands Prix with the senior team. His reserve role keeps him in the Red Bull system, ready to step in if needed.
Who Are Yuki Tsunoda’s Parents? Is He Married?
Yuki Tsunoda’s Parents (Father and Mother)
Yuki Tsunoda’s father was Nobuaki Tsunoda. He passed away during the 2021 F1 season, a loss that Tsunoda has spoken about emotionally in interviews. His father was a key supporter of his early career. According to reports, his mother’s name has not been made public, and details about her background remain private.
Is Yuki Tsunoda Married or Dating?
As of 2026, Yuki Tsunoda is single. There are no public reports of a wife or girlfriend. He has not discussed a relationship in interviews or on social media, and he is widely assumed to be focused on his racing career.
Tsunoda has not publicly confirmed or denied any relationship. Reports stating he is single are based on the absence of any public evidence to the contrary. No girlfriend or partner has been identified in reliable media or by the driver himself.
Will Yuki Tsunoda Move to Red Bull Racing in 2026?
Yuki Tsunoda’s Contract and 2026 Season
Yuki Tsunoda will not be a full-time race driver for Red Bull Racing in 2026. Instead, he has signed a contract as the team’s test and reserve driver. This role was confirmed on December 4, 2025. He will not compete for a race seat unless a driver is unable to race. His promotion from the junior Red Bull program to a reserve position keeps him within the organization but off the starting grid for now.
Red Bull Driver Market Rumors
Tsunoda’s full-time Red Bull career lasted only 22 Grands Prix in late 2025, after he replaced Liam Lawson. He struggled during that period, which led to the decision to move him to a reserve role for 2026. Speculation about a potential future promotion remains, but no official plans have been announced. Additionally, Tsunoda has not yet signed a definitive contract with Honda for 2026, despite his continued involvement in the Honda Dream Project. His reserve role with Red Bull-Ford is seen as a complicating factor in those negotiations.
How Did Yuki Tsunoda Rise to F1? Career Timeline
Early Karting and Honda Support
Tsunoda began competitive karting at 9 years old, though some sources suggest he started driving as early as age 4. He was selected for the Honda Formula Dream Project in 2016, which provided critical financial and technical support. This relationship with Honda has remained a defining feature of his career.
Junior Formulas: F4, F3, F2
He won the Japanese F4 East Series in 2017 and the F4 Japanese Championship in 2018. Moving to Europe, he competed in FIA Formula 3 in 2019 and then stepped up to FIA Formula 2 with Carlin in 2020. Tsunoda finished 3rd in the F2 championship with three wins, earning him FIA Rookie of the Year honors. He joined the Red Bull Junior Team in late 2019.
F1 Debut with AlphaTauri (2021)
Tsunoda made his Formula 1 debut in 2021 with AlphaTauri, scoring points in his first race with a 9th-place finish in Bahrain. His best result that season was 4th place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He remained with the team through 2023, and in 2024 the team was rebranded as RB (Visa Cash App RB). In late 2025, he was promoted to Red Bull Racing in a swap deal with Liam Lawson.
Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 Career Stats
- Active Years: 2021–2025 (full-time)
- Teams: AlphaTauri (2021–2023), Racing Bulls (2024), Red Bull (late 2025)
- Total Grands Prix Entered: 111
- Total Starts: 111
- Career Points: 124
- Highest Race Finish: 4th (Abu Dhabi GP, 2021)
- Highest Grid Position: 3rd
- Podiums: 0
- Wins: 0
- Pole Positions: 0
- DNFs: 15
- 2000: Born in Sagamihara, Japan on 11 May.
- 2009: Began karting at age 9.
- 2016: Selected for the Honda Formula Dream Project.
- 2017: Won Japanese F4 East Series.
- 2018: Won F4 Japanese Championship.
- 2019: Moved to Europe for FIA F3; joined Red Bull Junior Team.
- 2020: Finished 3rd in FIA F2; won Rookie of the Year.
- 2021: F1 debut with AlphaTauri; father passed away.
- 2025: Promoted to Red Bull Racing late in the season.
- 2026: Becomes test and reserve driver for Red Bull Racing.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Uncertain About Yuki Tsunoda?
Established Information
- Height of 159 cm is confirmed by FIA F3 and F1 official profiles.
- Date of birth (11 May 2000) and birthplace (Sagamihara) are verified.
- F1 debut in 2021 with AlphaTauri; currently reserve driver for Red Bull (2026).
- Racing number 22 is permanent.
- Product of the Honda Formula Dream Project.
- Father Nobuaki Tsunoda passed away during the 2021 season.
- Career total of 124 points over 111 Grands Prix starts.
Information That Remains Unclear
- Weight: Officially listed as 54 kg by some sources, but not universally confirmed.
- Net worth and salary: Estimates range from $5 million to $15 million; no official disclosure.
- Marital status: No public confirmation of a partner; assumed single due to lack of evidence.
- Mother’s name and background are not public.
- 2026 contract with Honda: Not yet signed, despite ongoing ties to the Honda Dream Project.
- Future career path: Promotion to a full-time Red Bull seat remains speculative.
Why Does Yuki Tsunoda Matter in F1?
Yuki Tsunoda is a significant figure in modern Formula 1 for several reasons. He is the first Japanese driver to compete full-time since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014, and he carries the hopes of a nation passionate about motorsport. His rise through the ranks was exceptionally fast: he moved from Japanese F4 to Formula 1 in just two years, a trajectory comparable to only a handful of drivers like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Tsunoda’s connection to Honda adds another layer of context. Although Honda officially exited F1 as a power unit supplier after 2021, it continues to support Tsunoda through the Honda Formula Dream Project. In 2026, Honda will supply engines to Aston Martin, a move that could influence Tsunoda’s career options if his Red Bull path does not lead to a full-time race seat. His reserve role with Red Bull-Ford complicates a direct Honda tie-up, but his long-standing bond with the manufacturer remains strong.
Off the track, Tsunoda has become a cultural figure. Social media memes comparing his facial features to the anime character Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen have boosted his visibility. The driver has acknowledged the comparison, and it has become a lighthearted part of his online presence.
What Do Team Leaders and Tsunoda Himself Say?
“It was tough, but I think I did a good job. I’m happy to score points in my first F1 race.”
Yuki Tsunoda after the 2021 Bahrain GP (Formula1.com)
“Yuki is a very quick and talented driver. He has the potential to be a top F1 driver.”
Franz Tost, former AlphaTauri team principal
“I want to win a race in F1. That’s my dream.”
Yuki Tsunoda interview with Motorsport.com (2024)
“Honda has supported me since I was a kid. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Yuki Tsunoda press conference, 2021 (Autosport)
“His father was a huge part of his career. It’s been very emotional for him.”
Helmut Marko, Red Bull advisor (Sky Sports, 2021)
What Is the Summary of Yuki Tsunoda’s Profile?
Yuki Tsunoda is a 25-year-old Japanese Formula 1 driver serving as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull Racing in the 2026 season. He is 159 cm tall, weighs 54 kg, and has a net worth estimated between $5 million and $15 million. His F1 career includes 111 Grands Prix starts and 124 championship points, with a best finish of 4th place. He remains strongly tied to the Honda Formula Dream Project while navigating a complex future within the Red Bull driver program. For a look at another reserve driver’s situation, see the Jack Doohan – Career Update and Haas Reserve Role.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yuki Tsunoda
What is Yuki Tsunoda’s racing number?
Yuki Tsunoda races with the number 22, which he has used since his F1 debut in 2021.
Does Yuki Tsunoda have a nickname?
He is sometimes called ‘Tsunoda’ or ‘Yuki’ by fans and media. Internet memes also compare him to the anime character Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen due to facial resemblance.
Is Yuki Tsunoda related to Kamui Kobayashi?
No, Yuki Tsunoda is not related to Kamui Kobayashi. They are both Japanese racing drivers but there is no family connection.
What is Yuki Tsunoda’s Instagram handle?
His official Instagram handle is @yukitsunoda0511, where he posts behind-the-scenes F1 content and personal updates.
Why is Yuki Tsunoda compared to Jujutsu Kaisen?
Due to his hairstyle and face shape, fans noted a resemblance to the anime character Yuji Itadori, creating a popular internet meme.
Where can I buy Yuki Tsunoda merchandise?
Official merchandise is available through the F1 store and the team store of Visa Cash App RB (Racing Bulls). There is no standalone Tsunoda brand store.
Does Yuki Tsunoda have a girlfriend?
Yuki Tsunoda has not publicly disclosed a partner. He is believed to be single based on available information.
Is Yuki Tsunoda still with Honda?
Yes, he remains part of the Honda Formula Dream Project and has a strong relationship with the company. However, he has not signed a definitive 2026 contract with Honda as of mid-2026.
How many points has Yuki Tsunoda scored in F1?
He has scored a total of 124 championship points over 111 Grands Prix starts from 2021 to 2025.
What was Yuki Tsunoda’s best F1 finish?
His best race finish is 4th place, achieved at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.