Yuki Tsunoda is reportedly pursuing a move to IndyCar for 2027, with the Red Bull reserve driver believed to be a candidate for Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 66 Honda. The opportunity could provide the Japanese driver with a route back into full-time competition as his chances of securing another Formula 1 race seat continue to fade.
After almost a year away from racing, Yuki Tsunoda is looking for new opportunities beyond Formula 1. Recent rumours surrounding the 2027 Formula 1 driver market had linked him with Haas, which was reportedly interested in the Japanese driver partly because of its technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing. However, the American team now appears to have narrowed its shortlist to Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Câmara.
Yuki Tsunoda’s Formula 1 opportunities begin to fade
Yuki Tsunoda’s chances of joining Haas have therefore diminished significantly, further reducing his hopes of returning to the Formula 1 grid. His passion for motorsport has certainly not disappeared and, although his support work at Milton Keynes as Red Bull’s reserve driver remains important, Yuki Tsunoda wants to return to frontline competition. That ambition has led him to consider IndyCar.
According to Motorsport.com, Yuki Tsunoda is putting himself forward to drive Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 66 Honda in the 2027 IndyCar season. The seat is currently occupied by Marcus Armstrong, who is expected to move across to the team’s sister car when reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist leaves Meyer Shank Racing at the end of the championship.
Yuki Tsunoda linked with Meyer Shank Racing IndyCar seat
A move to Meyer Shank Racing would represent a major new chapter for Yuki Tsunoda after his time in Formula 1 and his subsequent reserve role with Red Bull. However, the Japanese driver previously admitted that the prospect of competing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and maintaining extremely high speeds for more than two hours was intimidating.
“If I have the opportunity and feel that it is the right time, I would definitely like to,” Yuki Tsunoda said. “I like the United States, so I wouldn’t mind living there. But I feel that it is not the right time because I can’t imagine myself driving at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a race lasting more than two hours, at speeds above 320km/h on every lap.”
“For me, it is scary. I can’t imagine myself driving that car for more than two hours. I don’t know. For now, I am not targeting IndyCar, but yes, why not in the future?” Yuki Tsunoda concluded.
That possible future may now be approaching sooner than Yuki Tsunoda once anticipated. For the moment, however, it remains to be seen whether his interest will develop into an agreement with Meyer Shank Racing for the 2027 IndyCar season.
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