Yuki Tsunoda’s masterplan to return to the F1 grid in 2027 is already working a treat

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Yuki Tsunoda will watch on from the sidelines as F1 heads to his homeland for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, but there are signs of encouragement as he seeks a comeback in 2027.

For the first time since 2020 (the year before Tsunoda’s debut), there will be no Japanese driver on the grid at Suzuka. It was at this very race a year ago that he joined Red Bull, a move that had the potential to transform his career.

In the end, Tsunoda may have been better served staying at Racing Bulls. Like multiple drivers before him, he struggled alongside Max Verstappen, which saw him relegated to a reserve role at the end of the year as Isack Hadjar took his seat.

Yuki Tsunoda has set his sights on Esteban Ocon’s Haas seat

A report in January revealed that Tsunoda’s representatives are targeting Haas as a potential comeback route. The American outfit have scored 17 points in the first two rounds, all through Oliver Bearman, which puts them fourth in the constructors’ championship.

Bearman’s prospective move to Ferrari could be blocked by Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence. While that might seem like a blow to Tsunoda, there could be a vacancy on the other side of the garage.

Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has publicly acknowledged that Esteban Ocon failed to meet his expectations in 2025, and his struggles have continued at the start of this year. He has been beaten by Bearman, who’s far less experienced, in every competitive session so far.

• READ MORE: Why Yuki Tsunoda might be the only person in F1 who’s happy about Aston Martin’s awful start to 2026

Ocon finished 14th in China last time out after receiving a 10-second penalty for a collision with Franco Colapinto, while Bearman starred with a P5 in the sister car. There is still time for the Frenchman to turn things around, but he is clearly one of the most vulnerable drivers on the grid.

According to Chris Medland, Ocon has caused ‘frustration’ within Haas after failing to maximise the car’s potential so far.

Komatsu is known to rate Tsunoda, his fellow countryman, and it seems like his representatives may have sensed a golden opportunity.

Yuki Tsunoda has a second team in mind if Haas don’t make an offer

Tsunoda’s camp also see Alpine as an ‘attractive’ option, particularly after their pivot to Mercedes engines. After their first double score since the tail-end of the 2024 season, the Enstone outfit have hit 10 points.

Doubts persist over Franco Colapinto, even within the team, but the Argentine made an important breakthrough with his P10 in Shanghai.

If Colapinto can maintain that form throughout the year, it will likely close the door on Tsunoda or indeed any other challengers.

If not, then Alpine’s past interest in Tsunoda could be revived, though newly-signed reserve driver Alex Dunne might be ahead of him in the queue.