Back temporarily at Zandvoort, Yuki Tsunoda responds to rumors sending him to IndyCar and assures that his priority remains Formula 1.
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Yuki Tsunoda has not yet given up on Formula 1. Back on the grid for the Dutch Grand Prix, the Japanese driver took advantage of this unexpected appearance to remind that he still aims to secure a full-time seat.
Tsunoda lost his place at Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season. But Isack Hadjar’s injury triggered a game of musical chairs at Zandvoort: Liam Lawson was called up to Red Bull while Tsunoda returned to Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad.
For his first race in several months, the Japanese driver finished just outside the points, in 11th place. A performance that comes as information from the United States already mentions a possible switch to IndyCar for 2027.
The Tsunoda camp reportedly probed IndyCar
According to the American media Racer, Tsunoda’s entourage has begun seriously exploring the possibilities that could be available to him across the Atlantic. His management has thus contacted nearly half of the teams competing in IndyCar.
This approach may seem logical given the uncertainty surrounding his future in Formula 1. After losing his seat at Red Bull, Tsunoda currently has no guarantee of securing a permanent spot on the grid.
The main interested party prefers, however, to distance himself from these discussions. He assures that he has fully delegated the management of his future to his entourage in order to stay focused on his job as a driver.
“It’s not my job to take care of these kinds of things. I leave that completely to my manager. My job is simply to drive fast.”
A way for Tsunoda not to close the door to other championships without confirming the discussions mentioned around IndyCar.
“My mentality is still focused on Formula 1”
In the short term, Tsunoda does not hide his priority. Despite losing his seat at Red Bull, the Japanese driver wants to continue his career in Formula 1 and still hopes to get a new opportunity.
“My mentality is still focused on Formula 1. My main goal is always to race in Formula 1 and to succeed there. That is always present, no matter what happens.”
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His return to Zandvoort allowed him precisely to remind that he was still available when the Red Bull group needed him. Even without the usual preparation, Tsunoda was able to immediately get back behind the wheel and fight just outside the top 10.
But this priority given to F1 does not mean that he will accept to remain without competition indefinitely.
Tsunoda does not want to sacrifice two years of his career
At 26, Tsunoda knows that a long period without racing could seriously compromise the rest of his career. And on this point, his speech is much more open regarding a possible move to another discipline.
“But I also don’t want to stay two years in a garage. I want to drive.”
The Japanese driver thus acknowledges that he might be forced to explore other possibilities if no seat opens up for him in Formula 1.
“If there is potentially something that comes up or if I can’t find a seat for next year, then I will have to look at other championships.”
IndyCar could therefore become a credible solution, even if Tsunoda refuses for now to publicly make it his plan B after having already tested an American single-seater powered by Honda two years ago (photo above).
F1 until the last moment
Tsunoda especially wants to avoid considering his adventure in Formula 1 as prematurely over. As long as a possibility exists for 2027, he will continue to prioritize this path.
“Until the moment I take to the track next year, my mentality will always remain focused on Formula 1.”
His future will now depend on driver market movements and opportunities that may arise in the coming months. But Tsunoda already sets a clear limit: F1 remains his primary goal, but not at the cost of several seasons spent watching others race.
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