Jacques Villeneuve thinks Haas target has ‘had his time’ in F1 as Ferrari push 2027 alternative

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Jacques Villeneuve thinks Yuki Tsunoda has “had his time” in F1 and should not return in 2027, amid claims that Haas are interested in him replacing Esteban Ocon next year.

Tsunoda fell off the Formula 1 grid at the end of 2025 when Red Bull opted to promote Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls and shift the Japanese ace into a reserve driver role. He had been a permanent presence on the grid since 2021, but had struggled after joining Red Bull himself.

The 26-year-old only scored 30 of Red Bull’s 451 points last year, and he also only secured a mere seven top-10 finishes from his 22 Grands Prix for the team. Yet Tsunoda could return to F1 in 2027, as he and Haas are now thought to share a mutual interest in him replacing Ocon.

Isack Hadjar has already beaten Yuki Tsunoda’s 2025 points tally! Where does he rank among Max Verstappen’s Red Bull teammates?

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Jacques Villeneuve feels 2027 Haas target Yuki Tsunoda has ‘had his time’ in F1

Reports suggest that Tsunoda could sever his ties with Honda to join Haas in 2027, as he has set his sights on impressing Toyota after they enhanced their partnership with the American team. Honda have supported Tsunoda since 2016, and they were central to him reaching F1.

READ MORE: Red Bull reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents

A report by GPblog has also claimed that Haas are ‘looking’ to sign a Japanese driver in their quest to ‘please’ Toyota, so they have turned their attentions toward Tsunoda as Ocon is out of contract this season. But Villeneuve does not feel Tsunoda deserves another chance in F1.

Villeneuve said on Sky Sports F1 (12/06, 13:23): “It looks like he’s had his time, because he was only kind of wanted at Red Bull through Honda, and he didn’t shine.

“He’s had enough years. He was what, four years, five years in F1? He was there long enough. He didn’t shine. He had his time. It’s OK, he should be happy that he actually got a chance, because not many drivers get a chance.”

Ferrari want Haas to sign Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon in 2027

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Oliver Bearman is almost certain to race for Haas in 2027 after Ferrari signed Charles Leclerc to a contract extension before the Monaco Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton is expected to stay in Maranello next season, too, which blocks Bearman’s path to one day racing for the Scuderia.

As Ocon is out of contract at Haas at the end of 2026, though, Auto Motor und Sport reports that Ferrari ‘would like’ to also loan F2 star Rafael Camara to their engine customer team for 2027. Ferrari believe Camara is ‘ready to make the leap’ into F1, and will give Haas first dibs.

Camara, too, would like to start his F1 career ‘learning the ropes’ at Haas over the next few seasons, should team principal Ayao Komatsu decide to move on from Ocon. The Brazilian can throw a spanner in the works for Tsunoda, who Karun Chandhok would welcome back.

Chandhok added: “I have a slightly different view, because if Tsunoda had stayed at Racing Bulls, and they [Red Bull] had not swapped Liam Lawson, then I think Tsunoda would have had a much better year than Lawson, and the conversation changes.

“The one thing I wonder, though, is if Fernando Alonso doesn’t renew at Aston Martin, does Honda get Tsunoda into a seat at Aston Martin if Fernando Alonso stops? That’s the only way, maybe, back in.”