Yuki Tsunoda is linked to a transfer to IndyCar. The 26-year-old Japanese driver has been active this year as a test and reserve driver within Red Bull, but held a permanent spot on the F1 grid between 2021 and 2025. With 111 Grand Prix starts, he is considered a particularly experienced driver. Reportedly, he is in talks with Meyer Shank Racing about a seat in the American racing series. In the past, he has already left the door slightly open for IndyCar.
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Tsunoda is reportedly in consideration for the #66 Honda of Meyer Shank Racing. That seat is currently occupied by Marcus Armstrong, but according to plans, he will move to the #60 sister car when Felix Rosenqvist leaves at the end of the season. For Tsunoda, a move to American motorsport would mark a new phase in his career. Last year, he still raced alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, but after several disappointing performances, the Japanese driver had to make way.
Yuki Tsunoda on IndyCar
Tsunoda is already somewhat familiar with IndyCar. At the end of 2024, he had the opportunity to test with a Chip Ganassi Racing car during a Honda promotional event. IndyCar champion Scott Dixon guided him. Tsunoda already expressed his interest in a future in the United States, although he made it clear that oval races scare him.
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“If I get the chance and I think it is the right moment, I would definitely like to,” he responded at the time. “I find the US a nice country, so I wouldn’t mind living here either. But I think now is not the right moment, because I can’t imagine driving at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a race of more than two hours, where we drive every lap faster than 320 km/h. For me, that is scary. I can’t imagine being in that car for more than two hours.”
At the same time, Tsunoda did not explicitly rule out such a step. “I don’t know. At the moment, I’m not really focusing on IndyCar and I’m not thinking about it either, but yes, why not in the future?” If the former F1 driver does make the move to America, he will follow in the footsteps of compatriot Takuma Sato, who after his F1 career became a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500.
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