F1 fans think Yuki Tsunoda joining one rival team is ‘inevitable’ after being dropped by Red Bull

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Yuki Tsunoda won’t be on the grid next season, but a new partnership that has been forged elsewhere in the F1 paddock may open a door to the 25-year-old for a full-time drive in 2027.

The Japanese driver will be taking up a reserve driver role at Red Bull next season, making way for Isack Hadjar’s promotion to Milton Keynes, and Arvid Lindblad’s step up to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls.

Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson have been locked in a behind-the-scenes battle within the Red Bull stable in recent months.

It is understood that both drivers knew that one of them would have to make way in order to satisfy the plans that the Austrian constructor had for their 2026 driver lineup.

However, Tsunoda’s career in Formula 1 is far from over, and with the recent news that Toyota Gazoo Racing will be Haas’ title sponsor next year, we could see the current Red Bull driver return to the grid in 2027 with a new look.

• READ MORE: Ralf Schumacher warns Liam Lawson why Racing Bulls could still turn to Yuki Tsunoda in 2026

F1 fans believe Yuki Tsunoda to Haas is ‘inevitable’ after title sponsor deal with Toyota gets confirmed

Following the announcement of TGR’s affiliation with Haas on Thursday morning, F1 fans took to social media to express their views on the deal, as well as what it means for the future of Tsunoda.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) believes it’s a no-brainer for Tsunoda to strike a partnership with Haas in the coming years, posting, “Yuki Tsunoda will go to Toyota Haas in 2027, it’s very obvious.”

Another user shared a similar sentiment, saying, “Tsunoda feels inevitable in 2027.”

Toyota have ample experience in developing F1 engines through their tenure in the sport during the 2000s.

One fan believes the partnership with Haas could open a door there for the team to become a works outfit, saying, “Get that Toyota engine in and put Tsunoda in the seat.”

An Esteban Ocon fan shared their thoughts, highlighting that the Japanese driver would be a much better fit at Haas, commenting, “I love Ocon, but Yuki has much more potential and Komatsu and Toyota both love him to death. Clear win/win partnership from all angles.”

Another user expressed how pleased they would be to see Tsunoda on the grid again, writing, “In the future, Yuki Tsunoda might also join Haas. If that happens, I’d be happy.”

On Reddit, in response to a thread regarding Tsunoda’s chances of returning to full-time driver status, one fan theorised whether Tsunoda could get a seat at either Haas or Aston Martin, replying, “Maybe if Toyota get a paid seat at Haas, or Honda get one at Aston.”

• READ MORE: Yuki Tsunoda has suffered from the same ‘classic’ problem which ended Sergio Perez’s Red Bull career

Yuki Tsunoda breaks his silence on social media after being dropped by Red Bull

Two days after the news was confirmed that Tsunoda would be losing his seat next season, the 25-year-old put out a statement on social media.

Tsunoda started his statement with a short, four-word verdict on his current state of mind regarding a future in the sport, saying via X, “I’m not finished yet.”

He continued, “Finding out I won’t have a race seat in 2026 was incredibly tough, but I’m determined to work harder than ever with Red Bull as test and reserve driver to develop with the team, and prove I deserve a place on the grid.

“Life’s full of setbacks, and this is mine. It’s not going to deter me from being the best F1 driver I can be.”

It’s understood that Red Bull rejected an offer from Honda to keep Tsunoda on the grid for 2026, so it remains to be seen how his ties with the Tokyo giants will have been affected in the aftermath.