Tsunoda in Talks for 2027 IndyCar Seat with Meyer Shank

Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver with 111 Formula 1 starts, is reportedly in serious talks to join Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) for the 2027 IndyCar Series season. If confirmed, it would mark a major career shift for the 26-year-old, who currently serves as a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing.

According to information gathered from Motorsport.com, Tsunoda is a strong candidate to fill the #66 Honda-powered seat at MSR. The seat is currently occupied by Marcus Armstrong, but the New Zealander will move to the #60 car next season after Felix Rosenqvist, this year's Indianapolis 500 winner, leaves the team. Tsunoda's move to America would follow in the footsteps of Takuma Sato, who successfully transitioned from F1 to become a two-time Indianapolis 500 champion.

Since his F1 debut in 2021, Tsunoda has gained valuable experience, with a career-best fourth-place finish at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This season, he has been serving as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull. Although competition for F1 race seats remains tight, the opportunity to race in America seems to be opening up, especially since Tsunoda has already had a taste of an IndyCar during a Honda promotional event in late 2024 in Las Vegas.

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At that event, Tsunoda drove the #93 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing and received hands-on coaching from six-time IndyCar champion, Scott Dixon. He admitted to being attracted to living and racing in the US, but also acknowledged the intimidating nature of oval racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "If I have an opportunity and I feel it's the right time, for sure I would love to. I like the US itself, so I don't mind living here as well. But I feel like it's not the time because I can't imagine driving at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, more than a two-hour race and we do more than 200 mph or whatever every lap. For me, it's scary," he said at the time.

Now, that hypothetical future may be taking shape as negotiations progress toward a potential 2027 debut. However, MSR has not yet confirmed anything. Co-owner Mike Shank told Motorsport.com, "We have not decided anything yet. We are talking to everybody in every form of motorsports that are comparable or pertinent to IndyCar. We're still vetting folks that are coming along, and looking at all kinds of options."

A move to IndyCar would certainly add to the series' appeal, especially with a large Japanese fan base. If a deal is reached, Tsunoda would become another Japanese driver to try his hand in IndyCar after Takuma Sato and others. With his experience and talent, he could become a serious contender on both road courses and ovals.