“OFFICIAL” Driver Yuki Tsunoda is Rumoured to be Joining IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing as Red Bull F1’s Tenure Comes to an End for the 2025 Season
In the high-stakes world of motorsport, where careers can pivot as sharply as a Formula 1 car through a chicane, few stories capture the imagination quite like a driver’s bold leap across series. As the 2025 Formula 1 season hurtles toward its conclusion, Japanese sensation Yuki Tsunoda finds himself at a crossroads. Rumors are swirling that the 25-year-old, who has been a fixture in Red Bull’s ecosystem since his electrifying debut in 2021, could be trading the sleek aerodynamics of F1 for the raw power and oval thrills of IndyCar. Specifically, whispers point to a potential seat with the underdog outfit Dale Coyne Racing for the 2026 season, marking a dramatic shift as his time with Red Bull’s senior team draws to a close.
Tsunoda’s journey with Red Bull has been a rollercoaster of promise and frustration. Bursting onto the scene as a Red Bull Junior Team graduate, he claimed ninth place in his very first Bahrain Grand Prix, earning instant acclaim from F1’s technical director Ross Brawn as “F1’s best rookie for years.” Over the subsequent seasons, Tsunoda matured into a consistent performer at the sister team—now rebranded as Racing Bulls—scoring points regularly in 2024 and extending his contract through 2025. But 2025 brought upheaval. After a mid-season promotion to the main Red Bull squad following the Chinese Grand Prix, replacing Liam Lawson in a swap orchestrated partly by Honda’s influence ahead of their home race in Japan, Tsunoda’s fortunes soured. The RB21 car, notoriously tailored to Max Verstappen’s driving style, proved elusive for the Japanese driver. His results dipped, qualifying battles became uphill struggles, and the pressure mounted as Red Bull’s internal politics simmered.
Reports from mid-season onward painted a grim picture for Tsunoda’s long-term future in Milton Keynes. A July bombshell from GPBlog indicated that Red Bull would not extend his contract beyond 2025, viewing the stint as an “experiment” that had run its course. By September, Tsunoda himself acknowledged the uncertainty in interviews, emphasizing his focus on performance while deferring decisions to advisor Helmut Marko. “My priority is to stay with Red Bull and show better performance as much as possible,” he told reporters ahead of the United States Grand Prix. Yet, with Verstappen’s dominance unassailable and rumors of the Dutch star’s potential Mercedes defection adding to the chaos, Tsunoda’s seat became expendable. Internal whispers suggested Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, the Formula 2 runner-up, as his 2026 replacement, while Red Bull eyed external talents like IndyCar’s four-time champion Alex Palou for a fresh infusion.
Enter IndyCar, the American open-wheel series known for its blend of technical precision on road courses and heart-pounding speeds on ovals like Indianapolis. The rumor mill ignited in late October when IndyCar insider Tony Donohue dropped a bombshell on the ‘Unverified’ podcast. “I’ve heard Yuki Tsunoda is in contention for the second seat at Dale Coyne Racing with Honda backing for the 2026 season,” Donohue revealed, adding that an announcement could come as soon as the following week. Dale Coyne Racing, a plucky independent team with a storied history of nurturing talent—boasting six series wins and alumni like Sebastien Bourdais and Alex Palou—has long punched above its weight. The Illinois-based squad recently signed Norwegian Dennis Hauger, a former Red Bull junior, for 2026, leaving one slot open. Former F1 driver Romain Grosjean had been the frontrunner, but Tsunoda’s name now edges ahead, fueled by Honda’s deep ties to both series.
Honda’s role cannot be overstated. As Tsunoda’s longtime backer since his karting days, the Japanese manufacturer supplied engines to Red Bull until their 2025 exit, paving the way for Aston Martin in 2026. Yet, Honda remains a powerhouse in IndyCar, powering half the grid and offering Tsunoda a seamless transition. His flirtation with the series dates back to November 2024, when he tested a Chip Ganassi Racing Honda-powered Dallara at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Guided by six-time IndyCar king Scott Dixon, Tsunoda enthused about the car’s forgiving suspension and contact-friendly nature, a stark contrast to F1’s fragility. “I enjoyed sliding the IndyCar—it’s more robust,” he later shared with Road & Track, hinting at openness to the series if F1 doors closed. That test, captured in a Honda Racing Corporation video, planted seeds that now bloom into full-fledged speculation.
For Dale Coyne Racing, landing Tsunoda would be a coup. The team, which absorbed a financial hit in 2025 by losing Leaders Circle funding, thrives on drivers with upside and sponsor appeal. Tsunoda, with his $2 million salary, engaging personality, and massive Japanese fanbase, brings marketability—much like Takuma Sato, Indy 500 winner and another Honda protege. Team principal Dale Coyne has a knack for spotting diamonds in the rough; his stable once launched Palou’s championship dynasty. Pairing Tsunoda with Hauger could create a youthful, aggressive lineup capable of mid-pack hauls and occasional podiums, especially with Honda’s technical support. “Yuki would be the penultimate piece of the puzzle,” one insider noted, referencing the lone open seat at AJ Foyt Racing as the final wildcard.
Tsunoda’s potential move resonates beyond the cockpit. At 25, he’s young enough to rebuild momentum and eye a triumphant F1 return—perhaps with Honda-backed Aston Martin in 2027, as some speculate. IndyCar offers redemption: its 17-race calendar emphasizes consistency over qualifying fireworks, suiting Tsunoda’s matured racecraft. The Indianapolis 500, with its 230-mph roars and global prestige, could be his marquee stage, echoing Sato’s 2017 triumph. Critics question the downgrade—F1’s glamour versus IndyCar’s grit—but precedents abound. Juan Pablo Montoya and Romain Grosjean thrived post-F1, and Tsunoda’s speed is undeniable. “He’s no Naoki Hattori; he’s got personality and pace,” a TrackForum analyst quipped, dismissing naysayers.
As of October 30, 2025, neither Red Bull nor Dale Coyne has commented officially, but the timeline aligns with Donohue’s tease. With F1’s Las Vegas finale looming, Tsunoda’s final laps in RB colors could cap a bittersweet chapter. If the rumors solidify, 2026’s IndyCar opener in St. Petersburg might herald a new era for the driver once hailed as Japan’s next Senna. In motorsport’s unpredictable theater, Tsunoda’s next act promises drama, speed, and perhaps, a starring role on ovals. For fans, it’s a tantalizing “what if”—a reminder that the fastest way forward sometimes means veering off the grid entirely.
