Yuki Tsunoda already has a perfect route back onto the F1 grid in 2027 after losing Red Bull seat

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Yuki Tsunoda has officially lost his Formula 1 seat after Red Bull and Racing Bulls confirmed their 2026 driver line-ups. Isack Hadjar replaces him as Max Verstappen’s teammate.

It’s been clear for months that Hadjar would replace Tsunoda, which left a return to Racing Bulls as the Japanese driver’s only hope. However, the seats at Alan Permane’s team have gone to Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad instead.

Tsunoda will take on the reserve driver role, which may help his chances of returning to F1 in 2027. His ties to Honda have helped him in that regard, with Red Bull requiring access to their engines for their TPC programme.

Tsunoda replaced Lawson at Red Bull just two races into the 2025 season, the opportunity he had been pursuing for years, but it’s now possible that Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be his final race.

Why Haas are the perfect option for Yuki Tsunoda in 2027

When Tsunoda overcomes the disappointment of dropping off the grid, his attention will turn to possible comeback routes. It’s highly unlikely that he gets another chance within the Red Bull set-up, unless Lindblad proves to be below the level required.

There was speculation that Tsunoda’s Honda links could land him an Aston Martin role. Lawrence Stroll is buying engines from the Tokyo giants from next year, but the move has not materialised.

However, other teams expressed an interest while his Red Bull future was uncertain. Alpine were linked with Tsunoda, and it’s worth noting that Franco Colapinto has only been confirmed for 2026, with Pierre Gasly on a long-term arrangement.

Tsunoda was also an option for Cadillac, but both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are expected to stay for multiple years.

That makes Haas his best option. Oliver Bearman is expected to join Ferrari for 2027, with the Scuderia able to activate a break clause in Lewis Hamilton’s contract at the end of next year.

Haas will then need a replacement, and Ayao Komatsu is a ‘huge fan’ of Tsunoda. Journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm already suggested in February that he could succeed Bearman.

Haas’ links to Toyota could help Yuki Tsunoda

Haas have a technical partnership with Toyota, who may be keen on the idea of fielding F1’s most prominent Japanese talent. That would rely on him splitting with Honda, of course.

Alex Albon was previously sidelined after struggling at Red Bull, but Williams brought him back to F1 in 2022. It was arguably in his best interests to leave, particularly as James Vowles’ squad are aiming to fight for wins under the new regulations.

And then, of course, there’s the example of Perez. Before joining Cadillac, the Mexican’s reputation was enhanced by the struggles of Verstappen’s 2025 teammates.

In the same vein, Tsunoda may benefit if Hadjar is unable to break the second-driver cycle at Milton Keynes.