David Croft has heard that Yuki Tsunoda is ‘the number one choice’ if one team change drivers

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Yuki Tsunoda is well-placed to return to the Formula 1 grid in 2027, based on intel from Sky Sports commentator David Croft.

Tsunoda is currently Red Bull’s reserve driver after losing his full-time seat to Isack Hadjar at the end of last year. He recently tested at Barcelona but has largely been a peripheral figure in the paddock.

While his failure alongside Max Verstappen has clearly damaged his stock, Tsunoda was a well-regarded driver during his midfield days with AlphaTauri/Racing Bulls. Even before last season, he was averaging more than a point per race.

Which F1 teams should be looking at Yuki Tsunoda for 2027?

Or has he had his chance already?

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Yuki Tsunoda in strong position to join Haas if Esteban Ocon is dropped

If Tsunoda is to get another chance in F1, it will most probably be with Haas. While Esteban Ocon and Haas have angrily rubbished speculation of a rift, his performances are clearly a concern.

“He will be feeling twitchy, won’t he?” Karun Chandhok said on the F1 Show. “He’s now down 8-3 in qualifying across all the situations that you can compare them. That’s not a good score. Even at the weekend, he was a long way behind in the race.”

Ocon claims his car is not ‘healthy’ at the moment but a 16th-place finish at the Red Bull Ring, two laps down, will do little to quiet the noise over his future. He has scored three points this year to Bearman’s 18 despite being vastly more experienced.

Haas have already spoken to Tsunoda, with team boss Ayao Komatsu known to be a long-term admirer.

Let’s hear your podium predictions for the British Grand Prix 🍾

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Tsunoda will have to cut ties with Honda to facilitate a move given that Japanese rivals Toyota are Haas’ title sponsors, but

“I think he’s been under pressure all season,” Croft said of Ocon, before adding: “Yuki Tsunoda’s the option, Yuki Tsunoda’s the number one choice.”

Haas have also been linked with Rafael Camara, the Formula 2 driver whose ties to Ferrari make him a natural candidate, and have handed a test to highly-rated McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli.

Chandhok believes Camara would be a better option than Tsunoda if Haas do decide to drop Ocon. Bearman is expected to stay put on the other side of the garage with the path to Ferrari blocked for the moment.

“Is [Tsunoda] an upgrade?” Chandhok pondered. “I would go for Camara. If they were going to change it, go for a young hot-shot.

“Bearman’s got experience now. By the time we get to next season, he would be in his third year. They’ve got an experienced number one driver.

“If Ollie does get promoted down the line, they’ve got Camara to step into that role.”