{"id":3955,"date":"2026-10-13T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=3955"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:04:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T14:04:44","slug":"tsunoda-linked-to-meyer-shank-indycar-test-as-honda-eyes-2028-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/indy\/tsunoda-linked-to-meyer-shank-indycar-test-as-honda-eyes-2028-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"Tsunoda linked to Meyer Shank IndyCar test as Honda eyes 2028 seat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Yuki Tsunoda is being considered for an IndyCar test with Meyer Shank Racing<\/strong> on October 26 at Barber Motorsports Park.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Japanese driver has previously driven IndyCar machinery during a Honda promotional event in 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Honda&#8217;s factory-backed Meyer Shank entry for 2028<\/strong> could provide a future opportunity, although neither the test nor a race deal has been confirmed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Formula 1 driver <strong>Yuki Tsunoda could take part in an IndyCar evaluation test with Meyer Shank Racing at Barber Motorsports Park on October 26<\/strong>, as the Japanese driver explores opportunities to resume his racing career in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Marshall Pruett of <em>RACER<\/em>, Tsunoda is among the drivers being considered for the test, which will involve several IndyCar teams evaluating potential future recruits and development candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 26-year-old has maintained close ties with Honda throughout his career, making Meyer Shank a potential destination as the Japanese manufacturer prepares to expand its involvement in IndyCar in 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Neither Tsunoda&#8217;s participation in the Barber test nor a future racing agreement has been officially confirmed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f1-2026-italia-classificacao-racing-bulls-yuki-tsunoda-05-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"F1 2026, IT\u00c1LIA, CLASSIFICA\u00c7\u00c3O, RACING BULLS, YUKI TSUNODA\" class=\"wp-image-1020313951\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f1-2026-italia-classificacao-racing-bulls-yuki-tsunoda-05-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f1-2026-italia-classificacao-racing-bulls-yuki-tsunoda-05-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f1-2026-italia-classificacao-racing-bulls-yuki-tsunoda-05-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f1-2026-italia-classificacao-racing-bulls-yuki-tsunoda-05-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f1-2026-italia-classificacao-racing-bulls-yuki-tsunoda-05-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f1-2026-italia-classificacao-racing-bulls-yuki-tsunoda-05-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yuki Tsunoda (Foto: Red Bull Content Pool)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The evaluation session is scheduled for October 26 at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, with several teams expected to use the opportunity to assess drivers and carry out development work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meyer Shank Racing is preparing for the 2027 season with <strong>Marcus Armstrong and Mick Schumacher<\/strong> as its confirmed drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Schumacher, who competed for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2026, will replace Felix Rosenqvist in the #66 Honda, while Armstrong moves into the #60 car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team has already begun integrating Schumacher into its operation, although co-owner Michael Shank confirmed that neither of its regular drivers is expected to drive during the Barber evaluation test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That creates an opportunity for the organisation to assess other candidates without disrupting its confirmed race programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honda&#8217;s 2028 IndyCar programme could offer Tsunoda a future seat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The potential test is particularly significant because Meyer Shank Racing will operate <strong>Honda&#8217;s additional manufacturer-backed IndyCar entry in 2028<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The programme will expand the team&#8217;s involvement beyond its existing two cars and create an opportunity for a driver closely associated with Honda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tsunoda is among several candidates linked with the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to <em>RACER<\/em>, 2024 IndyCar Rookie of the Year Linus Lundqvist and Japanese Super Formula contender Kakunoshin Ohta are also being considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ohta has established himself as one of Japan&#8217;s leading single-seater drivers and has connections with Honda&#8217;s international racing programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lundqvist, meanwhile, already has experience competing in IndyCar and could provide an alternative for a manufacturer seeking familiarity with American racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The evaluation process could therefore influence Honda&#8217;s longer-term driver selection rather than produce an immediate change to Meyer Shank&#8217;s 2027 line-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tsunoda already drove an IndyCar in 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tsunoda has previous experience with IndyCar machinery, having driven a Honda-powered car during a promotional event near Las Vegas in November 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The demonstration brought together Formula 1, IndyCar and IMSA machinery as part of Honda&#8217;s motorsport activities in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tsunoda was able to experience the different handling characteristics of an IndyCar, including its braking response, mechanical grip and power delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking to <em>Road &amp; Track<\/em> after the demonstration, the Japanese driver compared the experience with karting and highlighted the car&#8217;s more direct handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He explained that the absence of some electronic systems familiar from Formula 1 made the car feel more responsive to throttle inputs and allowed him to manage rear-wheel sliding differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The outing was not a full competitive evaluation, but it gave Tsunoda an initial introduction to the category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A test at Barber would provide a more relevant opportunity to assess his pace, feedback and adaptation to an IndyCar on a permanent road course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Former Red Bull driver searches for new racing opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tsunoda competed in Formula 1 from 2021 to 2025, initially racing for AlphaTauri and Racing Bulls before joining Red Bull&#8217;s senior team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He lost his full-time seat at the end of 2025 and remained involved with Red Bull in a test and reserve capacity during 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese driver returned to racing for three grands prix with Racing Bulls earlier this season, but the team&#8217;s 2027 driver line-up remains focused on Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad and the development of its junior programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/racing-bulls-set-to-retain-lawson-and-lindblad-for-2027\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/racing-bulls-set-to-retain-lawson-and-lindblad-for-2027\/\">reported, Racing Bulls is expected to retain Lawson and Lindblad for 2027<\/a>, although the team has not formally announced its final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The limited number of available Formula 1 seats has increased the relevance of alternative championships for Tsunoda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A move to IndyCar would also continue a long history of Japanese drivers competing in American single-seater racing, including Takuma Sato, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2017 and 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meyer Shank prepares for IndyCar&#8217;s new era<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Barber evaluation test comes as IndyCar teams prepare for the introduction of a new car in 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meyer Shank&#8217;s existing technical relationship with Chip Ganassi Racing provides an established engineering structure, while its partnership with Honda will expand through the additional manufacturer entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team won the 2026 Indianapolis 500 with Felix Rosenqvist and is now preparing for its new driver pairing of Armstrong and Schumacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Schumacher has already begun working with the organisation ahead of his second IndyCar season, with the team planning to involve him in its engineering and simulator programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>October 26 Barber test<\/strong> is expected to provide Meyer Shank with an opportunity to evaluate potential future drivers, including Tsunoda if his participation is confirmed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda could test an IndyCar with Meyer Shank Racing at Barber Motorsports Park on October 26, potentially opening a route into Honda&#8217;s factory-backed programme for 2028.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020317429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Yuki Tsunoda","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Red Bull Content Pool","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":7,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[824,35,338,247],"42wp_author":[7],"class_list":["post-3955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indy","tag-barber-motorsports-park","tag-honda","tag-meyer-shank-racing","tag-yuki-tsunoda","42wp_author-victor-martins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3955"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3956,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3955\/revisions\/3956"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020317429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3955"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=3955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}