Yuki Tsunoda set to move to new sport after door closes on F1 return
Yuki Tsunoda will move to a surprise motorsport discipline for 2027 if he cannot regain a seat in Formula 1.
Tsunoda was dropped by Red Bull at the end of last season after scoring just 32 points across 22 races for the team.
The Japanese driver had previously drove for Racing Bulls across their various guises since 2021, before he was promoted to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull just two races into 2025.
Despite himself being replaced by Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen's team-mate for 2026, he is filling the role of reserve driver at Red Bull this season.
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Rumours have emerged in recent weeks that he is of interest to Haas, should the American team decide to replace Esteban Ocon mid-season.
Haas have a technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing, the racing division of the Japanese car manufacturer. And while Tsunoda is currently backed by Honda, the fellow Japanese manufacturer suggested in 2025 that they would not stand in his way if a potential deal could be struck.
But the other contender for the Haas role appears to be their current reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, who has extensive experience in the World Endurance Championship and who has taken part in several Friday practice sessions for the team.
Should Hirakawa beat Tsunoda to the seat, it would leave the latter with seemingly a dwindling number of options in Formula 1.
According to GPblog, there are now 'increasing signs' that he will become the latest driver to make the switch from F1 to IndyCar.
IndyCar has welcomed a series of ex-Formula 1 drivers over the years, with some enjoying much more success than others.
Marcus Ericsson, for instance, was signed by the prestigious Chip Ganassi Racing team in 2020 and went on to win the Indianapolis 500 in 2022. He was runner-up in the same race the following year.
And Takuma Sato, who raced in F1 between 2002 and 2008, has won the Indy 500 twice. At 49 years of age, he still enters the prestigious race as a one-off entry every year and has finished in the top 10 in three of the last four years.
Which IndyCar teams can sign Tsunoda?
Unlike in previous IndyCar seasons, a number of driver contracts are due to expire at the end of 2026 - which could provide an avenue for Tsunoda to make the switch for 2027.
This year's Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist is out of contract at Meyer Shank Racing, while Nolan Siegel is expected to leave McLaren's IndyCar entry, Arrow McLaren, at the end of the season.
The aforementioned Ericsson, meanwhile, could also depart Andretti Global - who also employ two-time champion Will Power and rising star Kyle Kirkwood - if he cannot agree fresh terms.
Other Formula 1 drivers, meanwhile, have signed a road course-only contract to cover their first seasons in the sport, with IndyCar racing on both ovals and road courses.
Romain Grosjean, for instance, didn't race on ovals during his first season in 2021 but did change his stance towards the end of the campaign.
Ryan Smart