Yuki Tsunoda is reportedly in talks with Meyer Shank Racing over a possible move to IndyCar for the 2027 season, potentially opening a new chapter in the Japanese driver’s career away from Formula 1. The Red Bull reserve has emerged as a candidate for the Honda-powered No. 66 car as Meyer Shank Racing considers its options for next year.
The 2026 IndyCar season has become a pivotal one for the driver market. One of the biggest developments came around the Mid-Ohio weekend, when Scott Dixon’s departure from Chip Ganassi Racing after a remarkable 25-year association emerged, followed by his move to Arrow McLaren for 2027.
The unexpected change triggered a wider domino effect across the grid and also put renewed attention on the second Chip Ganassi Racing seat alongside four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou.
Felix Rosenqvist move opens door at Meyer Shank Racing
Arrow McLaren’s 2027 plans also include Felix Rosenqvist, winner of this year’s Indianapolis 500. His departure from Meyer Shank Racing has created another significant opening in the IndyCar driver market.
Meyer Shank Racing has decided to move Marcus Armstrong into the No. 60 car that Rosenqvist will vacate, leaving the team to assess candidates for its Honda-powered No. 66 entry.
Mick Schumacher appears to be one of the strongest candidates for the available seat, but another possibility now leads directly to a familiar Formula 1 name: Yuki Tsunoda.
Yuki Tsunoda in talks over 2027 IndyCar move
According to Motorsport.com, Yuki Tsunoda is considering the possibility of joining Meyer Shank Racing for the 2027 IndyCar season. The Japanese driver has spent 2026 as Red Bull’s third driver after losing his full-time Formula 1 seat at the end of last season.
His immediate situation has nevertheless changed during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury triggered a Red Bull driver reshuffle, giving Tsunoda an unexpected opportunity to return to Formula 1 action with Racing Bulls at Zandvoort.
The comeback gives Tsunoda another chance to demonstrate his ability on track while his longer-term future remains uncertain. Hadjar has also sent Tsunoda a message ahead of his F1 return, but the Japanese driver’s options for 2027 may extend well beyond the Formula 1 paddock.
Tsunoda has already driven an IndyCar
A move to IndyCar would not represent Tsunoda’s first experience of the machinery. Ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, he drove a Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar during a promotional event in the United States.
At the time, Yuki Tsunoda made clear that he was open to racing in the championship at some stage in his career.
“If I had the opportunity and felt it was the right time, I would definitely like to,” Yuki Tsunoda said when previously asked about the possibility of competing in IndyCar.
The Japanese driver also explained that his affection for the United States would make the prospect of living there appealing, although he admitted that the Indianapolis 500 presented a daunting challenge.
“I like the United States itself, so I wouldn’t mind living here either. But I feel like it’s not the right time yet, because I can’t imagine myself racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in a race lasting more than two hours at over 320 km/h every lap. For me, it’s scary.”
“I really can’t see myself inside that car for more than two hours. I don’t know. For now, IndyCar isn’t a goal or something I’m constantly thinking about, but yes, in the future, why not?”
IndyCar could become a serious 2027 option for Tsunoda
Those comments were made when Yuki Tsunoda still had an established Formula 1 race seat and IndyCar was little more than a possible future adventure. His circumstances are now very different.
With his full-time Formula 1 prospects for 2027 uncertain, the opportunity to join Meyer Shank Racing would give Tsunoda the chance to remain in top-level single-seater competition with an established IndyCar team and Honda power.
No agreement has been finalised, and Meyer Shank Racing continues to evaluate its options for the No. 66 car. However, Tsunoda’s name has now entered an increasingly active 2027 IndyCar driver market, giving the Japanese racer another potential route for the next stage of his career.
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