Yuki Tsunoda re-emerges as Cadillac option for 2026

The situation is slightly different this year, though, with Tsunoda out of contract for 2026.

Should the #22 driver feel that continuing at Red Bull is detrimental to his career (or if the team replaces him), he can go elsewhere.

As it stands, Cadillac is the only team outside of Red Bull with two vacancies for next year.

A handful of drivers, including Bottas, Perez and Zhou, have been linked to the US project for next year.

Bottas has emerged as a front-runner to be their first signing – although Alpine’s interest in the Mercedes reserve could add a spanner to the works.

Regardless, Tsunoda could be well-positioned to join Cadillac against some of the drivers mentioned.

As reported by racingnews365, the Red Bull driver is now firmly on the American team’s radar.

Whilst his Red Bull stint has been immensely difficult, the long list of drivers who experienced a similar fate should limit the damage his mid-season move would otherwise inflict to his market value.

Tsunoda’s impressive record at VCARB still makes him a valuable asset in the market – especially for a new team like Cadillac.

Only a few months ago, Mario Andretti bemoaned that Cadillac had a very limited driver pool to choose from.

If Tsunoda does not have a future with Christian Horner’s team, he could emerge as an unexpected target.

Alongside an experienced driver like Bottas or Perez, Tsunoda could complete a very competitive line-up in 2026.

Ever-changing dynamics at Red Bull

Inevitably, the 24-year-old’s future is also dependent on how events unfold at Red Bull.

Considering the number of stories surrounding the Milton Keynes outfit, anticipating what happens next will be difficult.

Arvid Lindblad’s progression complicates things for everyone at Red Bull and VCARB outside of Max Verstappen.

One driver will have to be replaced to create space for the highly-rated 17-year-old. For now, it is unclear who this would be.

Even Verstappen himself, a source of stability at Red Bull over the last decade, is something of an unknown quantity.

The Dutchman is relentlessly linked with a move to Mercedes – a scenario that becomes increasingly likely as Red Bull lose ground to McLaren.

Because of these factors, Tsunoda might have to wait before having any assurances of his future.

Amidst this instability, Tsunoda can at least take some consolation that other teams in the market are interested in his services.