As Meyer Shank Racing looks to finalize its 2027 IndyCar roster, Motorsport reports that five-year Formula One veteran Yuki Tsunoda is in talks with the team. Tsunoda, who's 26, is currently a reserve driver for Red Bull after driving in F1 from 2021 to 2025. Tsunoda's best finish over a season was 12th, which he did in 2024 when the series had 20 entries. After it was learned that Indianapolis 500 champion Felix Rosenqvist was leaving the team in July to team up with Pato O'Ward and Scott Dixon at Arrow McLaren, MSR re-signed its other full-time driver, Marcus Armstrong, to a multiyear extension that will see Armstrong move to Rosenqvist's No. 60 car. Rosenqvist's departure leaves the team needing to fill the No. 66 seat, which Armstrong currently occupies. MSR co-owner Mike Shank did not confirm that the team is looking at Tsunoda. "All I will say is we are in talks with a handful of drivers across the globe," Shank told IndyStar. "We have not decided who will be in the 66 car for 2027." Tsunoda tested an Indy car in 2024 for a promotional event with Honda Racing Corporation USA at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Japanese driver got coaching from Dixon before churning some laps in the car. Marcus Ericsson, Alexander Rossi, Romain Grosjean and Mick Schumacher are the current former F1 drivers in IndyCar today. AJ Foyt Racing rookie Caio Collet was thought to be an early frontrunner for MSR's open seat, but Collet has three straight finishes of 19th or worse, which has simmered the chatter of him upgrading IndyCar teams in 2027. Collet, who's 23rd in the IndyCar standings with four races to go, admitted this weekend that talks between him and MSR have stalled. "Everything just kind of settled down a little bit," Collet said at Friday's media bullpen in Markham, Ontario. "We obviously are still in contact, but I don't think I'm the first one in line anymore." Although MSR has only two wins in its history (the 2021 and 2026 Indy 500s), the team's added funding and technical alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing keep the team near the front of the pack in multiple races a year. Rosenqvist has two second-place finishes to CGR's Alex Palou this year to go along with the Indy 500 win, and Armstrong has led laps in four races this year. With IndyCar introducing a new car in 2028, placing the right drivers in seats is vital. MSR continues to exhaust its options, and Tsunoda could be in play. Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis. .oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Meyer Shank Racing in talks with former F1 driver, per report