Yuki Tsunoda’s camp are already eyeing two ‘attractive’ F1 teams for the 2027 season

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Yuki Tsunoda has dropped off the Formula 1 grid for the 2026 season. An ever-present since the start of 2021, Tsunoda has been relegated to a reserve role in the Red Bull set-up.

It had been clear for months that the Japanese driver would lose his Red Bull seat, particularly given the breakout performances of Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls. Tsunoda didn’t have a three-race scoring streak all season.

But there was some hope that he could return to Racing Bulls, as previous victims of the ‘Max Verstappen teammate curse’ have done. In the end, they favoured a line-up of Liam Lawson and newcomer Arvid Lindblad.

Tsunoda’s ties to Honda helped him stay within the programme – Red Bull will require access to their engines for TPC runs – but he knows that his best chance of returning to F1 lies elsewhere.

Yuki Tsunoda targeting Haas and Alpine for F1 comeback

Tsunoda says ‘there’s a chance’ he won’t just be a reserve next year, but that would rely on one of the Red Bull-backed drivers either missing a race or being dropped due to poor form.

He can’t bank on either of those scenarios, but there is an ‘obvious and natural’ link with Aston Martin, who will race with Honda engines from this year.

Who is the best active driver NOT on the 2026 grid? 🤔

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For now, Tsunoda and his team are focused on Haas and Alpine, according to Autosport Web. They view both as ‘attractive’ options for 2027.

Haas may lose Oliver Bearman if Ferrari decide to promote him, while a reunion with Pierre Gasly could be on the cards at Alpine if Franco Colapinto continues to underwhelm.

Yuki Tsunoda must split with Honda if he wants to race for Haas

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu is a big fan of Tsunoda. They have just entered into a partnership with Toyota, who may relish the idea of fielding F1’s foremost Japanese talent.

One imagines that Tsunoda would have to part ways with Honda for that deal to become viable.

Alpine were reportedly interested in Tsunoda in 2025, but the timing of Red Bull’s line-up decision hurt him. He wasn’t informed until December, by which point both seats at Enstone were filled.

Ted Kravitz doubts that Tsunoda will return to F1 at all, even if Sergio Perez and Alex Albon have made comebacks after being dropped by Red Bull. The 25-year-old has scored 124 points in 111 races.