Yuki Tsunoda’s planned IndyCar test with Meyer Shank Racing has been cancelled, dealing another setback to the Japanese driver’s attempts to secure a race seat for 2027. The evaluation was scheduled to take place at Barber Motorsports Park in late October, potentially opening the door to a move into the American championship. Honda president Koji Watanabe has now confirmed that the test did not go ahead, while revealing a conversation with Yuki Tsunoda about his Formula 1 ambitions.
Currently serving as a reserve driver for Red Bull and Racing Bulls, Yuki Tsunoda faces a difficult challenge in returning to the Formula 1 grid next season. With almost every seat already accounted for, the Japanese driver has been exploring alternative opportunities, although his priority remains securing a place in F1.
Yuki Tsunoda’s IndyCar test cancelled after Racing Bulls comeback
During the summer, Yuki Tsunoda made an unexpected return to Formula 1 following an injury to Isack Hadjar. The French driver’s absence prompted Red Bull to promote Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls for three races, creating an opportunity for Yuki Tsunoda to replace the New Zealander at the Faenza-based team.
Having previously occupied the reserve-driver role at Racing Bulls, Yuki Tsunoda returned to competitive action for that brief period. However, once Isack Hadjar recovered, the Japanese driver was forced to return to his position as third driver.
Following his temporary comeback, speculation intensified over a possible move to IndyCar for the 2027 season. Yuki Tsunoda had been linked with a test for Meyer Shank Racing, with the evaluation scheduled for the end of October at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.
The test could have strengthened his prospects of securing a full-time opportunity in the American series. However, those plans have now been abandoned, leaving uncertainty over whether an IndyCar move remains a realistic option for the Japanese driver.
Honda president Koji Watanabe reveals conversation with Yuki Tsunoda
Confirmation of the cancelled test came from Honda president Koji Watanabe, who discussed the situation in a recent interview with Japanese publication as-web. The Honda executive explained that the manufacturer had not been directly involved in the negotiations between Yuki Tsunoda and Meyer Shank Racing.
“Tsunoda is now an independent professional racing driver, so the negotiations did not involve us, but rather his management team and Meyer Shank Racing,” Koji Watanabe explained. “Consequently, I only found out afterwards that the test had been cancelled.”
Koji Watanabe also revealed that he had spoken at length with Yuki Tsunoda during the United States Grand Prix weekend. During their conversation, he questioned the Japanese driver’s interest in IndyCar while his main objective remained continuing his career in Formula 1.
“We met in the paddock during the United States Grand Prix and I had quite an in-depth conversation with Yuki. I asked him: ‘Why don’t you simply do what you want? If you can stay in F1, so much the better; otherwise, we can talk about it again.'”
The discussion highlighted the difficult choice facing Yuki Tsunoda. Although IndyCar could offer an alternative route for his racing career, the Japanese driver remains focused on finding a way back onto the Formula 1 grid.
Yuki Tsunoda faces limited options for a 2027 Formula 1 seat
Securing a Formula 1 race seat for 2027 will not be straightforward for the Red Bull and Racing Bulls reserve driver. With the grid almost completely filled, only a small number of potential opportunities remain, and none currently provides Yuki Tsunoda with a guaranteed route back into the championship.
Racing Bulls has yet to make a final decision regarding the driver who will partner Arvid Lindblad next season. However, the team’s choice appears to be narrowing towards retaining Liam Lawson or promoting Formula 2 prospect Nikola Tsolov.
That situation leaves Yuki Tsunoda facing considerable competition for a return to his former team. Meanwhile, the wider Red Bull Formula 1 organisation continues to evaluate its competitive direction heading into the next championship.
Another possible destination could be Cadillac, although that opportunity would depend on the American manufacturer deciding not to continue with Valtteri Bottas. Without such a change, Yuki Tsunoda’s chances of securing a full-time seat for next season would remain extremely limited.
What comes next for Yuki Tsunoda after cancelled IndyCar test?
The cancellation of the Meyer Shank Racing evaluation means Yuki Tsunoda has missed an opportunity to explore a potential alternative career path for 2027. However, it does not necessarily rule out a future move to IndyCar, particularly if his attempts to return to Formula 1 prove unsuccessful.
For the moment, the Japanese driver’s immediate prospects depend largely on the remaining decisions surrounding the 2027 Formula 1 grid. Racing Bulls must determine who will partner Arvid Lindblad, while Cadillac’s plans could potentially create another opening.
With the 2026 Formula 1 season approaching its final races, Yuki Tsunoda faces an important period in determining the next stage of his career. Honda’s Koji Watanabe has made it clear that the driver is free to pursue his preferred direction, but the cancellation of the IndyCar test has left his future unresolved.
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