Yuki Tsunoda has already had ‘a serious discussion’ with F1 team who need a new driver

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Yuki Tsunoda’s mooted Formula 1 comeback with Haas appears to be gathering some pace, based on a new report.

Tsunoda spent five straight years on the F1 grid as part of the Red Bull family but lost his seat to Isack Hadjar at the end of last year. After finally earning a promotion to the top team, he failed to meet expectations alongside Max Verstappen.

Tsunoda was dropped entirely, rather than returning to Racing Bulls like some of his predecessors. While he is carrying out the reserve driver role in 2026, a permanent exit at the end of the year feels inevitable.

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

Or has he had his chance already?

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Esteban Ocon ‘likely’ to lose his seat after Haas talks with Yuki Tsunoda

According to Autosport Web, Tsunoda held a ‘serious discussion’ with Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu last year about a potential 2026 seat. In the end, Komatsu decided to retain Esteban Ocon instead.

However, Ocon has only scored one point in the first five races of the season, compared to 18 for his teammate Oliver Bearman.

This has led to speculation that Ocon may not finish the season, but the team furiously rubbished these reports ahead of the Canadian GP. Komatsu described them as ‘absolute b——-‘ with ‘zero foundation whatsoever’, via The Race.

Does Esteban Ocon deserve a seat on the F1 grid in 2027?

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However, AS-Web contributor Nate Saunders has heard ‘from people familiar with the situation’ that Ocon is ‘likely’ to lose his seat at the end of the year, even if he will be allowed to see out the campaign.

On that basis, Komatsu needs a new driver, and Tsunoda ‘could become a strong option’.

Komatsu is a long-term admirer, but one historic barrier to the move has been Tsunoda’s relationship with Honda. Toyota are currently the title sponsors of Haas, creating an obvious clash.

Crucially, Saunders has learned that ‘Tsunoda is free from ties with Honda’, who no longer supply engines to Red Bull. That makes a move to Haas much more straightforward.

On the other side of the garage, Oliver Bearman’s deal is likely to be renewed unless Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc make an unforeseen exit from Ferrari.