Indy 500 winner gives clear verdict on Yuki Tsunoda potentially joining IndyCar in 2026

Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi has commented on the possibility of Yuki Tsunoda joining IndyCar in 2026. The Japanese driver won't be on the F1 grid next year, with Red Bull having replaced him with Isack Hadjar.

With Hadjar getting promoted, F2 driver Arvid Lindblad will replace him at Racing Bulls. Because Red Bull's decision came towards the end of the season, Tsunoda couldn't find another seat for next year. Moreover, it was reported that he was forbidden from having talks with other teams while under contract.

However, the Milton Keynes outfit hasn't let him go, and instead retained him as a test and reserve driver for 2026. A couple of months ago, there were rumors that Yuki Tsunoda was in contention for an IndyCar drive with Dale Coyne Racing next season. Alongside his F1 reserve driver role, that remains a possibility.

Alexander Rossi gave his verdict on this potential happening on a recent episode of his Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast.

"I would love it because I think he is potentially the funniest guy on the Formula 1 grid, and he's obviously very good despite anything that has happened to him in the past six months being Max's teammate, because he (Tsunoda) was destroying everyone who was his teammate when he was at Racing Bulls. So I think it'd be very cool." "But I agree with you (co-host James Hinchcliffe) that I don't think he's quite ready for that switch yet. He's quite young, and it would not surprise me if he ends up back in a Formula 1 car at some point," Rossi added.

If Yuki Tsunoda were to decide on this unlikely IndyCar switch to fill the final vacant seat at Dale Coyne Racing, it would be with Honda's backing. In that scenario, he would become the second former F1 driver on the 2026 IndyCar grid alongside Mick Schumacher, who will race with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Will Buxton invites Yuki Tsunoda to IndyCar

Yuki Tsunoda at the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Source: Getty

In November 2024, Yuki Tsunoda was part of a special IndyCar crossover ahead of F1's Las Vegas GP. As part of Honda's 'Hybrid Heroes' celebration, the Japanese driver tested a Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon coaching him through the runs.

After Red Bull's recent announcement about demoting Tsunoda, IndyCar commentator Will Buxton, who worked for F1 until before 2025, invited the Red Bull driver to race in the American series next season.

"Come back Stateside Yuki, get your butt back in an Indycar, and have as much fun as you did in your test, every weekend. @yukitsunoda07 @HondaRacingGLB," Buxton wrote in an X post.

Tsunoda had shown interest in IndyCar racing after the Las Vegas crossover last year, and was even ready to move to the US. However, one thing scared him - the prospect of going over 200 mph for over two hours at the Indy 500.

Edited by Yash Kotak