Tsunoda's management probing for IndyCar opportunities

Yuki Tsunoda’s manager Diego Menchaca has been actively exploring options for his client in the IndyCar Series.

RACER understands conversations have taken place with nearly half of the 10 full-time teams to determine whether opportunities exist for the Formula 1 veteran from Japan.

“It's not my job to look at that stuff,” Tsunoda said to the F1 media pool at Zandvoort when asked about his future interests. “I completely leave it to my manager, and my job is to just drive fast and that stuff. My mentality is always in Formula 1. My main goal is to always be driving in Formula 1 and have success. That's always there, no matter what.

“But I also don't want to be staying in the garage for two years. I want to drive as well. If there's something potentially happening or I couldn't find a seat for next year, then I'll have to look for other series. But until the moment I hit the track next year, my mentality will always be in Formula 1.”

Tsunoda spent 2021-2025 representing Red Bull or its VCARB junior team as a member of Honda’s factory program, and had been sidelined in a reserve role until this weekend, the 26-year-old having been activated to race at the Dutch Grand Prix in Liam Lawson’s VCARB entry while Lawson stands in for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull.

Most of the prime seats in IndyCar have been filled for 2027, with Meyer Shank Racing’s Chip Ganassi Racing-affiliated opening serving as the best available seat to pursue. Former Haas F1 and current Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing IndyCar driver Mick Schumacher is understood to be in negotiations to fill the vacancy, but no decision has been made by the new Indianapolis 500 winners about who will get the nod.