Oct.31 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda’s System 1 future stays unclear – and contemporary rumours counsel the Japanese driver might be headed to IndyCar if Pink Bull decides to not retain him for 2026.
Pink Bull has but to finalise whether or not Tsunoda will keep inside the primary group, return to Racing Bulls, or lose his seat altogether. With Honda’s backing shifting to Aston Martin from 2026, hypothesis about different locations is rising.
Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve instructed Sky UK he believes Tsunoda’s time within the sport could also be working out. “He’s nonetheless very far off his teammate,” Villeneuve stated.
“He’s not bringing something to the desk – not in tempo, not in factors, and never in serving to Max for the championship.
“He has a number of expertise. We’ve seen one of the best of him. He’s already on the best way down, so it appears they’re overprotecting him for some motive.”
That safety might be tied to Honda, which has lengthy supported Tsunoda’s profession and will stay keen to maintain him in its racing ecosystem. In line with IndyCar insider Tony Donohue, Tsunoda has emerged as a candidate for a Honda-powered seat at Dale Coyne Racing.
“There have been rumours of Yuki Tsunoda probably being inside that No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing with Honda backing for 2026,” Donohue stated on the Unverified podcast.
“I feel we’ll discover out subsequent week – and I don’t imagine he’ll be again in his F1 seat.”
Whereas some observers beforehand linked Tsunoda to Alpine – which technically nonetheless has a 2026 emptiness – that seat now seems earmarked for Franco Colapinto, whose extension is anticipated to be confirmed on the upcoming Brazilian GP.
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya not too long ago urged a transfer exterior F1 is perhaps Tsunoda’s solely practical possibility.
“Tsunoda to Alpine might be the unusual twist that surprises everybody,” he stated. “But when he’s omitted, he’ll be a reserve or he’ll have to search out one thing else to do – and neglect about System 1.”
