Yuki Tsunoda has not given up on returning to the Formula 1 grid. According to GPblog’s reporting with people directly involved, a move to IndyCar is not in the Japanese driver’s plans, at least for the time being.
After five seasons as a full-time driver, Tsunoda lost his seat when Red Bull decided to promote Isack Hadjar to be Max Verstappen’s teammate. In 2026, the driver took on the role of reserve, remaining in the paddock but distant from the competition that had defined his career in recent years.
The Japanese driver himself didn’t hide his dissatisfaction with the new routine. Questioned by GPblog during the Hungary Grand Prix weekend about how his season was going, Tsunoda replied directly: “Boring.”
A permanent return to Red Bull or to Racing Bulls is considered unlikely given the performances of Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson. Nikola Tsolov, a standout in Formula 2, also appears as another name waiting for an opportunity within the outfit. Tsunoda could still temporarily replace a regular in case of an absence, but that scenario would not constitute a permanent seat.
The Japanese driver had even been linked to a potential move to Haas, but GPblog has learned that the rumors lack substance. Tsunoda would also be interested in an opportunity at Alpine to replace Franco Colapinto, though that possibility likewise seems unlikely.
Despite the limited options, the driver intends to focus his efforts on remaining in F1. The reporting indicates there is interest from IndyCar, with Honda willing to place its protegé in a car powered by the Japanese manufacturer.
However, Tsunoda does not currently consider a move to the North American series. His priority remains finding a new opportunity in Formula 1, even amid a tight market and intense competition for seats in teams affiliated with Red Bull.
